AT FIRST I THOUGHT YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT . . .

Do you think I guess inasmuch as

so so

to be sure yes I see

what'd you mean

but listen yet and still on the other

hand like as if you know

oh

at first

I thought you were talking about

a bird a flower

your anguish

the precision of trial by fury

apes in the roses

a body-sized box

even my own mother's sadness

freezing into diamonds

sanctified beyond description

and brilliant as death.

There are 237 footfalls

from the parking lot

to this metal table

this mechanical desk of judgment

the early spring sun

shines

on the face of building

but is cut off at the door

now take my body and blood

as the last recorded sacrifice

of a negative image

upon the revolving doorpane

of this building

where even the elevators are tired

To be sure yes I know what did

you mean by the way

but listen yet and still on the other hand

like you know just as if

do you think I guess in as much as so-so

oh well I see

at first I thought you were talking

about . . .