Black Frock Coat

Fluttering out around him 
Bat-like as he leapt 
Dramatically from balcony 
To stage and staggered; swept 

Up off of his knees 
As he raised his dagger high,
Declaiming to the audience, 
“Forever thus to tyrants!”

Streaming like a flag 
Retreating from the fray
As turning on his heels he fled
The bloody scene, afraid;

Clinging to his back
As he galloped through the night; 
Pillowed underneath his head 
In dawn’s unblinking light;

Spattered with his blood 
Beneath a burning barn;
Spread out, useless, like his hands 
That day at Garret’s farm.