Under The Poplars

Like priestly imprisoned poets,          the poplars of blood have fallen asleep.

On the hills, the flocks of Bethlehem                  chew arias of grass at sunset.                        The ancient shepherd, who shivers          at the last martyrdoms of light,                  in his Easter eyes has caught                            a purebred flock of stars.                                  Formed in orphanhood, he goes down          with rumors of burial to the praying field,          and the sheep bells are seasoned with shadow.       It survives, the blue warped          In iron, and on it, pupils shrouded,                  A dog etches its pastoral howl.