Terra-Cotta

The best toy soldiers in the universe
are hidden in the world's largest box--
a tomb, beneath the red and thirsty dirt
of western China. Uncovering them rocked
the media. Faces made of brick
stood on parade, in endless silent rows.
A terra-cotta army posed no risk
of rebel anger, overturned no thrones,
did not debate its orders. In the dark,
they stood to guard the grave forever. Toys
for emperors, who are the biggest boys,
should be life-sized, obedient and marked
imperial possessions. Subjects can't
be ruled like terra-cotta, or like ants.


Available! High-Voltage Lines, Knocking from Inside