No Dogs Bark

OUR time is now
and now is dark.
No roosters crow
and no dogs bark.

Each day is black
with sun and snow.
The poem’s lack
is all we know.

In everything
our tale is told.
The songs we sing
are old old old.

Tattoo the stars
with mud and tears —
tomorrow’s wars
arc last night’s fears,

and breakers take
their time for none,
nor heart can break
for anyone.