The Hamlet Project

It seems like all our times are this:
Gracious and hallowed.
Because I have never seen planets strike
Or a fairy taking, a spirit stirring
Or a witch, successfully charm a charm.
That the absence of these things
Would indicate an unusual quiet
Makes me think that the nights used to be quite raucous
With planets rolling about like billiard balls
As fairies streaked through forests, thieving and making mischief
As witches cackled through the hours
And spirits stirred up trouble.
Those nights must have been something to see.
Here now, the wildest life I see in the dark of night
Are drunk and inconsiderate people
Breaking bottles
Side-stepping rats, disturbed from their hiding places
And the occasional firecracker
Shot off by men who never grew up.
I’d like to see some witches.