The Burghers of Calais

–RODIN, Auguste The Burghers of Calais 1884-86 Bronze 82 1/2 x 95 x 78 in. Rodin Museum, Philadelphia

 

It’s not Calais; The burgher
will not come out humbly
in his underwear, rope
around his neck, ready for hanging;
The King does not expect him to.

Every week fifty-score small corpses
are thrown from the city walls;
The mothers’ wails do not
bring forth the Queen
to plead for a reprieve.
Bodies pile up. No bronze
comemorates their sacrifice;
No play is written.

© Carolyn S. Scarr