Like the King of Babylon
who sits on the throne,
his massive crown
suspended on two chains

above his shaven head
covered with a silken cloth,
lest it falls and crushes
the omnipotent lord

with its pearls and gold
and silver clusters of grapes
and gems of every kind
set in pure iron frames –

so I bear this world
of precious heavy dreams
hanging above my head
on two sky-bound chains:

a black chain
made of shame and woe
and a white one
made of peace and joy.

My neck would break
if either chain gave an inch –
one of them has a weak link,
I don't know which.