Faint teethmarks and wood slivers
outline the settled yelp.
To the surprise of the police

the dragnet scoops draw blank;
faces staring from building tops
at the TV News Bulletin.

Hundreds of thousands of bystanders
roar slogans, pitch rotten fruit
tormenting the shield of police.

Roundups catch:
a handful of pot seeds, skeleton keys,
blackjacks, small unregistered revolvers.

On the case,
the department artist pools descriptions.
His sketches lack character.

Conclusions shadow conclusions.
Faint teethmarks and wood slivers
without any prints or tracks,

history and motive,
a city of vacant streets
ordered by police.

Prime suspect is a militant
and revolutionary conspiracy.
Two, the FBI is involved.

By nighttime, each clue labelled,
our hero studies his text;
his plans are never slipshod.