Lincoln in Sacramento
(“With Malice Toward None” Exhibit,
California Museum)
Always the “tired spot,”
always the question: who will atone?
Despite war, widow, orphan, despite
Original Crime, flesh needs respite.
While smoke lingers, while more
than smoke troubles the carpet,
from the hand slips a playbill:
OUR AMERICAN COUSIN.
The rust-brown stain reddest
where it looms over SIN.
