In the void / between attacks
I saw a soldier take a bead
on Salvatore. I shot him.
When Sal and I rolled him over
we were amazed to find
E. Gartner Cole, the President
of the United States.
During that week / we found
among the wrecks
that once were men
a role call of emirs
senators, arms manufacturers
commandantes, blind scientists
cabinet members, and MP's.
We grew inured to
piles of potentates
and the graves of generals.

I once kindled a fire
by rubbing together
a minister of finance
and a secretary of war.

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