THERE WERE PEOPLE...

There were people
Many many people
Embracing
With fingers clasped
(Like handcuffs)
And when it got dark
Only a few people were left
And later even fewer
As the lights went out one by one
As night sank
And then even fewer
While the others sold their eyes
While the others stole their teeth from them
And they padlocked their eyes
And they nailed down their teeth
Turning the mirrors to the wall
(Always fewer and fewer there)
Until at some moment
Someone opened the knife
And sliced his shirt
And they saw his name written on his chest
Exactly over the heart.

(It is to them I now say these words).