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)