Work Order

For the love of God, Montressor!
                                          —Poe

Stone is required. Mud. Wood. Strong hemp rope.
      A thousand barbarian slaves from the western provinces—
Dispensible, so let there be replacements ready on demand.
      The blueprints are completed but the plan is simple: build it
Straight as a ray. Let no impure medium refract it.
      Make it as long as necessary. Make it even longer.
Make it too high for climbing, too adamantine for piercing,
      too deeply foundationed for radical undermining.
Make it permanent as hatred. It is built to divide us
      from the others. Sweat is required. Blood. Crushed bone. Skin.
A river of bile and vitreous humor. Make it costly and perfect.
      When it is finished, the others will be cancelled.
It obliterates their eyes, their hair, the obscene color of their skin.
      When it is finished, a fatal peace will comfort
The survivors. When it is finished, and only then, let there be light.

— T.R. Hummer