i'm a hectic creature--

revived with splashes of dust.

i listen to hollow wood-knocks

crawl kingdoms not to come.

i smother the flute, slash the lute--

wave off the wine.

lick-out the candles whose almond

flames punctuate the succulent feast.

i lay under that long wooden table,

hand in hand with dark...patient as

bacteria.

listening to rats chew, then burst

out into hysterical laughter.

sending those bubonic slicksters

crashing plates--jolting forks, knives

and spoons...scummy fur on end.

to no end.