I forgot to bomb Dresden
Forgot to learn my sums
A slide rule meant
I could skip out
On a day of Kindergarten
From time to time
On a fine days’ permissions
If it suited me
To let the rule slide

I forgot to bomb Dresden
Forgot to acquiesce
When I made
My own music
Chose my skin
Ceased attending church
Went my own way
Took up guitar
Threw the old I CHING
Moved to the coast

I forgot to bomb Dresden
Forgot to listen intently
To learn the lessons
Adhere to protocol
The strict delineations
Required by fealty
To wit: what is good
For the bomber
Is good for the
Bombers’ son

When confonted
By all that I had
All that I decided
All that I discovered
All that I nurtured
And found upon the ground
Opposing the height
Of the bar
The bar, itself
The mark on the bench
Parameters
Up in my face
Up in my character

I left Dresden
Alone

© jameshoustonarts 2026