The Third of May 1808, by Alan Sugar

The Third of May, by Francisco Goya (Spain) 1814.

The Third of May 1808
 
What does he see inside the lantern’s light--
before the rifles and about to die?
The sun of yellow and the clouds of white.

His hands upheld, he does not try to fight.
His wide eyes sorrowful, imploring why.
What does he see inside the lantern’s light?

A friar by his side prays for his plight.
A supplication rises to the sky.
The sun of yellow and the clouds of white.

Beyond the cowering mass, the town in sight. 
Around him, on the ground, the bodies lie.
What does he see inside the lantern’s light?

The lantern, too, would see him if it might--
a frightened child, a captured butterfly. 
The sun of yellow and the clouds of white.

The month of May brings rose buds small and bright.
Though briars sting, he’d hold them tight and cry.
What does he see inside the lantern’s light?
The sun of yellow and the clouds of white. 

Alan Sugar

Alan Sugar shares his poetry and performance art in Decatur, Georgia where he currently resides.  He is also a puppeteer, and he has worked as a special education teacher in the public schools of Atlanta.  Currently, Alan works as a writing tutor at Georgia State University, Perimeter College, Clarkston Campus.  His work has appeared in Atlanta Review, The Lyric, The Jewish Literary Journal,The Society of Classical Poets, and RFD.