After, the Evidence (Poem)

Jacob Lucas, The Show Must Go On

© Jacob Lucas Used With Permission

After, the Evidence

Everybody wants to stage
a revolution some time,

to tear back the curtain
and reveal the wizard's hand

holding fast the tongues
wagging to expose

the content of secret files,
raw, unedited pictures

of all the principal actors
in their compromising positions.

The shocking device
found in the basement

hints at how the fire
must have scorched

what dirty white bandages
now hide,

the single application
of electrifying power

gone awry.
The show must go

on, no price too high
to pay, no loyalty

so quick to shift
our gaze from what remains

before we've destroyed
the village to save it,

leaving olive trees burning
in the Red Sea's shadows.

© 2011 Maureen E. Doallas
______________________________

I wrote this poem for today's One Shoot Sunday event at One Stop Poetry, where you'll find Chris  Galford's interview with photographer Jacob Lucas whose image above is offered for Sunday's Picture Prompt Challenge.

Anyone may participate in the challenge. Go here to read the interview, then scroll down to follow the directions to contribute an original poem or piece of flash fiction inspired by the image.