•

every cry

has its attendant

a familiar atrophy of concern

the supposed and the possible

sutured into presence

spittle and contempt and

if only i

could

the heart forges

nails for

impossible constructions

certainty is a plighted adherence

pleading a common bloodline

for every cry

there is

a lover, or a disciple

assured through castigations

for the outrage of patience,

for the presumption of mutual groundlessness,

for the performance of needless fidelities

devotion is an unrealized tragedy.

from 7 © Mike Schertzer, 2005