portraits of red and grey #8 by James Morehead

portraits of red and grey #8

by James Morehead

we are lined up
silent respectful
                          fearful
lenin's tomb before us
hundreds ahead in line
good citizens on their yearly pilgrimage

glazed guards stifle our approach
a tomb of simple shining marble ( a bunker )
a single entrance
poised bayonets line our path
                                                we keep our hands at our sides
                                                walk slowly
                                                breathe silently

someone ahead scratches an ear
sharpened blades level from all sides
                                                            shouts in russian
the line stops waits and
continues
                 ( false alarm )
i check my hands

gripping my pants

steps inside a downward spiral
a bullet proof glass encased shoe
                                              leg
                                              waist
                                              chest
                                              head
peculiar
             preserved
                              waxy
                                       unreal

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