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enjoy this writing from Joseph Murphy in the free 6" x 9" 2017 PDF file chapbook: Crafting Wings (click on the front cover image or the title text to download the free PDF file)				You can also order this as a 2017 6" x 9" perfect-bound paperback ISBN# book! Click on the book cover or this title to get Crafting Wings as a book at any time!

Line of Duty

Joseph Murphy

When the first shot was fired,
Blood fell from desk tops and beach rose;
From a jar’s lid.

Sea-rounded stones and spines of books
Ignited; a lark’s nest frayed.

Another death in the line of duty.

Great decisions made, the lofty walked on.

Some said their bones have the grit
Of a stone wall; of a palisade
That can’t be breached;

Others spoke of blood
Running from the nibs of their pens.

But we fit the yoke to our shoulders, not to theirs.

Blood has begun to ooze from glass cases;
Cover the feet of mannequins;
Wires short.

A robin, tearing at these words, draws back, startled.

We wait for what might crawl forward,
Hoping lives will be spared;
Our tethers shortened.

Another disfigured in the line of duty.

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