The Mother of Cities

Human, we want inhuman
Respect.  Civilization,
That curious construction

Anahita and others
Sanctified as an escape
From the peripatetic

Scholasticism of men
Who would prefer not to be
Either civilized or men,

Has sanctioned a punishment.
Because we know, we will not
Ever know what can be known.

Balkh! Floodplain at the juncture
Of what can and can't be known,
Mother of Zoroaster,

Nursemaid of Buddha, victim
Of the Macedonian
And the warriors of the Lord,

You will, I promise, one day
Yet prophesy one true truth:
No truth's ever prophesied.