Devin Gmyrek

The Example

As this solo till no self plays

pained by bearing witness to witnesses

unremarkable for absence of bloodied others

I cannot hear their stories save those

we share beneath moonlight afraid

the silver mask cast over everything

will fall and make the dissection plain

We ignore the bodies piled by this plague

but need not bury that one—he reaches

out, tries to overthrow screams and speak

be heard, survive the sacrifice

and not for the sake of himself—let him

be blessed, showered with infinite manna

spared this world in the name of those

he tried to warn against keeping secret