The Black and White Ball

The guests have all almost arrived.
The men in black ties
cross names off the list.
Soon it can begin
to end.
A Man
is shaking hands.
We file
down the line.
His smile is so big
I can see the silver in his teeth.
His hand is warm and strong.
We have cocktails with the men
who will kill us.
They are not doing it for them
they tell us.
I believe them. I thank them.
Men have been trying for centuries
and they're going to do it.

We'll rise to the sky
without having to climb.
We'll appear there,
lifted like rain.
The last guest arrives.
He’s already dead.