As Ever Like the Sun & Moon at War

8- ❂❂❂ -VI

The Hunter reaches down through fog and flood

and lifts the sopping plank that's floating on

the dirty water's surface at one end

whilst at the other doth the keeper of

the shop the sign belongs to also heave,

together raising th'object up and out—

with streams that grip and fall from off its edge—

and pushing it to stand upon its legs,

encompassing the entry to his shop.

The keeper of the shop doth thank the man                10

upon his hammering the sign in place,

more crack'd and splinter'd than it once so was.

The Hunter nods and trudges down along

the flooded street, his ankles swishing through

and causing tidal ripples slapping 'gainst

foundations of the houses and the shops

at either side of him as carefully

doth he traverse so not to break his toes

on something solid 'neath the clouded swirl.

Within the week that's pass'd since mountain floods                20

did wash all through the polis and destroy

with wrath and punishment the people's lives,

the Hunter's work'd t'rebuild the city's slums,

for though their crimes are less than those above,

he's known for all his life the system's rigg'd

so sin is shed from bottoms of their boots

like mud upon the backs of those below.

He's seen it ev'ry year, the streets awash

with filth not rightfully so channel'd here,

for though there's those deserving here to rot—                30

whom once he thought himself to be among

by tainted pedigree deserving such—

there's just as many—more—requiring cleanse

who up above are free of consequence

and let to drink of flesh and step on hands.

And though they suffer'd through this current flood

the more severe than usu'lly they do,

this only's caus'd compounded pain below,

and ev'ry time he helps a broken man

or mourning woman—those of waning hope—                40

he sees it in their eyes, their malcontent,

and knows at any moment could they burst

with just direction, should there come the need,

and one who speaks the language of their hearts.

Continuing, the Hunter spots ahead

a woman he hath seen before around