The poets were lined up against the
Classroom wall
Shot through with trees and flowers and
Magpies in spring.
The poor students
Skulls pounding with the noise of the
Outside world
Did their duty with dispatch
Though bloody fingers
Could barely pull the trigger.


(Previously published in The Hold, May 2003)

Laurence Overmire

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/not-even-a-last-cigarette/