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Poem: “Seven Cities”

by on Feb 17, 2013 in Poetry
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Seven Cities

Beware. Beware. Be wary as you go
All around the country, trees of anger grow
Some are of the oak, some are of the beech
Some are of the old wood and have a higher reach

Look inside the circle where seven cities burn,
Of those who enter inward, none of them return,
I saw a city flaming, pride was in its towers
Burning in immensity where arrogance devours,
I saw a city covetous, burning on its hoard,
Its banner was a merchant brandishing a sword,
A city of the stupid burning on a plain,
Lustfulness consumed her and none of her remained,
A city as a fortress, anger was her strength,
All the streets were burning up and down in their length,
A city of the gluttonous, choking on their plunder
Burning with a fever that tore her guts asunder,
A city built of envy,restless in her meanness,
Flames began to eat her and her agony was endless,
I saw a city slothful where all the people slept,
None to stop the blazing that burned them all to death

Beware. Beware. Be wary as you go
All around the country, trees of anger grow
Some are of the oak, some are of the beech
Some are of the old wood and have a higher reach

Pavel
July 15, 2011


Pavel Chichikov is a Washington DC-based poet and photographer. He has written for both the secular and the Catholic press on issues as diverse as Russian nuclear weapons systems, Olympic athletes, and miracles. His books include From Here to Babylon: Poems by Pavel Chichikov,  Lion Sun: Poems by Pavel Chichikov, Mysteries and Stations in the Manner of Ignatius, and Animal Kingdom. Pavel may be heard reading his works on catholicradiointernational.com and on pavelreads.com. His poetry regularly appears on "The Poetry of Pavel Chichikov."