A Grain of Sand

miracle cures offered
at every step
pushing papers to faces
a twinkle in the eye
for cures of all ills

stands he on a grain of sand
ailing to his core
old skin sloughed off
changing his spots
leaving scratch marks

grains of sand trickles
the wall clock ticks on
ponders he on deeds
done to bulge his coffers
he has done all, short of murder

the hungry child
sewing thick jeans
the haggard woman
stooped over necklaces
for his wealth chains

what cares he
they are far away
beyond the stars and stripes
just dark ones
in eastern slums

stands he there
pondering on the one
grain of sand
that will fall for him
calling scytheman

his millions
buy him not a minute
far away the bell rings
they troop out of factories
as he flashes out

A grain of sand
the last one fell
thudding on his ornate box
roses and poses
his rich widow smiles.