*
Mouth to mouth this rock
takes back that light
the sun grew fat on
though birds gag in it
still part their wings
not yet the ashes
that run through you
let their last breath
reach under you, hold on
till nothing’s left
except the shadow
the dirt counts on
--you don’t dig anymore
afraid more darkness
will escape, unfold
as in midair
the slow wide climbing turn
into mountainside
unaware how long it’s been
--you sift, lean over
the way this tiny rock
is pulling you closer
wingtip to wingtip
is swallowing you
as if one by one
its feathers had opened
--in time, in time.
apocryphaltext Vol. 2, Nos. 2 & 3