Never in the Presence of Angels

When we have disavowed public admiration
in the eloquent brutality of enduring Silence,


and such Penance-in-passivity is met with the purity
of Unconditional acclaim
while, yet, we discrete a conviction of exploitation
and corruption camouflaged as Boon,
and each careful rebuttal caroms from our hearts,
untested;


if, next, we take upon ourselves all sovereignty
for burdens of inattention and disregard for Innocence,
and dignify This Benefactor beneath the shelter
of calculated oblivion;


we can, at last, without a sound present
unchallenged disbelief as Certainty
in walking out unseen (except by those
with love enough to bear The Guess)
and carry home, alone, Tomorrow's lack of self-respect.