Lines #2
		mh  11/98.



		I.
the girl cries on the phone                
to a lover unseen,                            
answers unanswered between            
the lines.  sadness seeping,                
her tears strike the ground                
like a xylophone.                              

		II.
and the night is creeping
through-out the window panes,
answers unanswered between 
the lines.  stained glass mirrors
throwing light's darkness
into a prism.

		III.
the crowds wait for life's bread
in single-file order,
answers unanswered between
the lines.  life is easy
when one can see where
he was two steps before.

		IV.
as the rains come down
in streaks of blue and gray,
answers unanswered between
the lines.  powerless ground
is washed away and
muddled puddles made.

		V.
dodging bullets and mines
among the general's ranks,
answers unanswered between 
the lines.  even the most
carefully laid out
plans go to ka-boom.

		VI.
economists solve the
poor problem in no time,
answers unanswered between
the lines.  theories and graphs
have the solution,
plot his life right there. 

		VII.
the prescribed lunatic
stares through corroding bars,
answers unanswered between
the lines.  it's been some years
since he last saw stars
not on the TV.  

		VIII.
holy water of priests
and crosses of the faith,
answers unanswered between
the lines.  last but not least
comes the sacrament 
to stave off the beast.