oft mistaken
mortal

grazing garden on
horizon,

golden lemon drop
propping
jaw,

melt me to my
knees-

eyelids part like
dying
sea,

a slip through lips
like portal

to flee what
battle?

a neon light turned
off by small
talk,

tuned into blocked
out canceled
channel-

pinching wick of
twitching
candle.

clinging to what won’t
stop moving?

to us keep from
fossilizing

to three hundred
count thread

despite cravings to
watch sun
climb

to
heights
unperceived-

uprooted to
leave.

burning unfinished
furniture,

i watch nocturnals
flinch by
flame-

pale and shackled
to chatter

bared in costume
company

fresh from
zoo,

keepers free to
turn away-

free to lean
in too.