The sky fell over itself
tripped up by a cloud
or a guitar string
& I was staggering beneath that weight
like a leather bound volume of cracked concrete
buckling your knees
the long way across the sand
the silver shimmering out there in pieces you
can string together & wear on your wrist
a shadow among shadows
beneath a miniature bamboo umbrella
w/bruised knuckles & a book of matches
My heart all shattered by this & other things I’m
sure I’ve forgotten by now
the sting of euphoria
them dark stars these
ragged flowers
spell death in Cantonese
when no one’s looking
Reason enough for the Jesuit resolve
like haze to powder the dark beach sky
so given to cold
sapphire flames