Threescore Days and Ten
Donald P. Goodman III
In threescore days and ten, the tomb will opened be;
the firstborn of the dead will rise in victory
and gather all who follow in his misery
and hang beside him on that dead and leafless tree
that ne'ertheless bears hundredfold; and they shall see
in threescore days and ten, originality
scrubbed clean of all its stain, and bare legality
gi'en spirit, soul and life, and slavery made free.
In threescore days and ten shall end the darkest sky
which weary ages fruitlessly we strove to flee
with desperate failure; but he is hoisted high!
in threescore days and ten, cruel death itself shall die.