The Great Figure

Among the rain

and lights

I saw the figure

5

in gold

on a red

fire truck

moving

tense

with the

shattering

distant sirens

moaning

over the black

and white

of the clouded scene

cold from rain

and the yellow

luminous fire

expanding through the night

so much

depends

upon

a red wheel

barrow

beside the white

chickens.

• William Carlos Williams