Unlike and far less destructive
Than the city and campus riots
This quiet demonstration was in some way
More dangerous than either.
Its very muteness was maddening -
A human glacier moving inexorably
Towards its own mass suicide!
Chicago, as all cities now
Was little more than a cage
For the wretches of humanity
Who occasionally paused in their rabid
Scouring for meat and amusement
To clamor hoarsely at the armored patrols
For the blood of the invader.
One morning a lone brown helicopter
Landed some distance ahead of the marchers
A bullhorn barking instructions
For the leaders to be flown to Headquarters
To arrange a peaceful conclusion
To the peaceful demonstration
Before anybody got hurt.
No one came forward, replied or stopped
But there were smiles on upturned faces
As the great Bird snarled over their heads.
The pace quickened imperceptibly
Some eyes damp with pride.