The Nazgûl

they are the nine

black robed

ungrateful in death

detached from us

who struggle through

what remains

of this american life

great wealth accumulates

that marx could not foresee

the class above the capitalist class

and the worst of those who judge

hunger in their hollowness

to be members in that club

to pay the entry fee

they sell the law

and that’s enough

of late they smiled and gave

the unborn the right

to rape the living

they think they’re clever

but they’re not

always behind their backs

their eternal law clerks snicker

the waiters and the servers

at the european restaurants

listen patiently

wait and watch

as these ghosts of justice

vacation outside the country

savor their canapés

of smoked dead fish