When the fog lifted

When the fog lifted, I saw

      the oozing hot blistering virus slime

        hesitatingly withdraw from its feast

      bodies distorted in pain and in terror

        sticking bubonic limbs in bizarre contortion

        out of the foul swamp towards heaven

      gaping mouths pleading

        for a last sip of life-sustaining air

        caught nothing but poison and stink

      one rosy cheek - now peeling black patches

        of shriveled skin

        oh, woman, where hath thy beauty gone!

      and fat bellies, eager to pop at a touch

        to splatter their insides out in disorder

When the fog lifted, I felt

      the power recede

      and the dragon retreat

      to coil up in its layer

      my hands sank down

      slowly 

      peace settled

      and quiet

When the fog lifted, I knew

      I had gotten even.

(October 7, 1992)