Small Gods
Impossibly gifted
and unforgivable
they are the gods
we made in our need
grown sad and old.
Lonely among the living
they worship us, bring
heartbreaking offerings
that cost them everything
we cannot use.
Here, they say, here
are heaven and hell,
eternal life—and
how can we refuse?
Martignac, Lot Valley 2016
Ian Dudley @dudlian has published poems in Aesthetica, The Dark Horse, The Interpreter’s House, The North, and Wasafiri, and was featured in The Best New British And Irish Poets 2016 (Eyewear). www.ianmdudley.eu