I

Remembering Nietzsche

When the Word flamed on night,
when the Deed shadowed day
no sweetness stained the light
and the cloud was grey.

One had been found to shift
the stones on the frontier,
the Word found Flesh, the swift
Furies, a victim there.

From that private fate
rose vaster agony
when nations learned too late
its justified decree.

People who'd lived in peace,
armed against second birth,
felt every purpose cease
and were alone on earth.

A hope of finding grace
in necessary crime
served the need of the race,
did not redeem the time.