Where Purgatory Might be Found 
Round Lake, Il. 

If Purgatory did exist, 
like Heaven, there may be 
cigarette butts on the floor. 
It might be painted in earth tones. 
It would be a place where children go 
after they tire of giant amusement parks. 

Outside it would be hot 
The asphalt pit would not be hidden 
by compacted cubes of industrial waste. 
Streams of heat would waver above the tar pit. 
Tanker trucks bloated with flammable gas 
would move languorously even 
as conveyor belts from the depths 
of the mine rested. 

In air-conditioned cabins 
of airplanes would lie hope. 

Everything would be in abeyance 
as at Round Lake depot-- 
a place to purge oneself 
of worldly concerns 
until the trains to airports arrive.