Lucille Clifton




down the tram

hell is like this    first stone
then rock so wonderful
you forget you have no faith
some pine      some scrub brush
just enough to clench green
in the air
yes    it is always evening
there are stars       there is sky
you stand there silent
in the long approach
watching as caverns 
tense into buildings
wondering who could live here
knowing whatever they have done
they must be beautiful