Numberless

Somewhere under redding light
something sinks into mire – becomes

the mire its sinking is.
Numberless eyes swivel down

straining to the very dark
their seeing fears.

Limbs knot to gristle
in the slippery fight to break free

but fear’s weight’s the gravity
that sucks it into me.

–

Days drift away
liquid as flame

glance back
then curl to their ends.

Weakened by numberless irrelevance
I gaze on afar

mind in close phase
wandering on empty ...

wandering     ...     wondering
what to have done

with time so spent
my face sunk, ashen, reverent.