Refoundation

Shine light on the edge of the square
and there a clutch of the creatures
brass necks and ostrich eyes
guffaw grins and slapped sore thighs


walk without waking through the lanes
the baton charge and horseback riders
weighing up with pounds and ounces
how to stop these kilograms


from taking hold and spreading over
the marble halls and archways     now
calculate in museums of science
the length and breadth of grotesques


the passing down of tiny charters
the illness of self delusion     creeping
quicksand rising around
bonded children’s necks


shine a light on the square
illumination and refoundation
impossible words to comprehend
for old grey men with ostrich heads