Something there is

like black iron

in the spine of humanity

not always, not forever

but enough

enough to preserve

to stand in the wind

enough to unbend knees

and grit teeth

found when we seek

proof again

that we are

to be feared

a horror of human will

great weapon of the mind

skeleton-metal and unbroken

singing in our bones

how terrible

and certain

the salamander birthright

of the children

of man.