Evacuate the outline! How

         swell ranks so limited,

who once filled the glass in their

         sensual crush

search the unresponsive

         stretched skin, and rattle

stands of bamboo. Where was I?

         Bent into a skeleton

or flourishing a marker, or if air

         between, its thin plate

shielded inner workings,

         forfeited to glass

muted but still populous,

         one silhouette cupped

her hand as though to scoop

         tabled rain, reaction

quick and nervous, flank pang

         clock-set so to

prance, prance, a shadow-

         length awaiting scratch

shuddered, underfoot as new

         prints densified, pores

burst with vivid oils.

         A first morning gull

hieing from blue distance, skims

         the lamped shore,

salience is mine, in outline,

         poised to cut its divot.