Aerial pictures

   used to reveal how fire
      sweeping through the continent
was visible from high up
   in space——From that ledge
      presumably occupied by the gods?
from the cold white bramble
   woven of stars? What do they see
      now as cities retreat into themselves,
as factory chimneys inhale their last
   plumes of dark smoke, as a new-
      born child takes its first
breath in this poisoned world——