the hero’s curse
to leave blood on the hands
a weight upon the soul
of remembered wrongs

in a quiet house in Gaza
a harlot plays with Samson’s hair
who knows what they say to each other
with what coarseness or comfort the evening passes
she is invisible, Philistine, he a biblical superman
contemplating his terrible destiny
to be human somehow and a judge
a strong man bringing doom

tent or temple both must fall
in Israel’s hand
the heart that keeps on beating
is Palestine’s

Roger Langen, Toronto

students of incalculable suffering
now master

America lends aid

another population
is swallowed in fire