Sunday 19 July 2009

Dr David Kelly

Harrowdown Hill

I shall probably be found, I said,
and I flashed a smile as I spoke, dead

in the woods, and he smiled back,
with that minute shake of the head,

momentary blink of eyes that lack
comprehension, and do not match

the smile, nor for the moment catch,
quite, the dissonance of mood and voice

where I, briefly revealed in speech, rejoice
to hear myself announce the fate

I’d only secretly dared contemplate:
such a blood sacrifice I thought were just

as I watched resentful men dissemble
before the cool courtesy of my call for trust;

I did not know how soon I would resemble
in the stress of my demeanour those betrayed

by the grave, insistent promises I made.
Public dishonour I could stand and face

were not this moral pride my real disgrace:
the woods, God’s glory, and myself, dismayed

into atonement with this blameless blade