In Their Numbers

The evening fashions a man at a pulley,

an armchair in front of an outlook,

unfenced sky, many cities, father

of some furniture. Thus screens.

One man pulls scenery up he almost

understands: Milk, cigarettes, lotto,

pokeweed, mooneye.

He rises into place the way

a name travels—an ordinary passage

poured into—chickens and bitters, zip codes,

pistols, some persons of interest,

some partial, some tickets

are turnips. He’s Polish.

Some helpers not helping.

Evening passes out bears against weather,

this business of courage—the world

falls to pieces. Guesswork,

jumpsuit, he tips his head

back, sidelong, and holds

his son to one ear like a radio.