The Black Leaf of Gaul

(From a title by Tana Jean Welch)

The Black Leaf of Gaul

Las cigaretas americanas,
Hecho de tabaca rubia,
They said,
Solamente causan el cancer.

American blonde tobacco,
They believed,
Unlike the good black
Leaves in their Gauloises,
Are the only ones that cause
Cancer.

So, we all have our little
Fictions
That get us through life;
Crutches to injured faith,
Frail candles against the
Endless reaches of the night.

Betsy McKenzie
June 26, 2007