HEW

1.

The first bell. The soft
moon. The sea, and

the silence. Peace
be with all. Now hear

the story of a dark door.

2.

M.

No more did he go
up to the mountains. He

was in a cage, like
a grayhound,

vapor rising
from his skin in mouthfuls.

3.

M.

Water that tumbles into
the sea. A cart

to fetch stones to
the mason.

Night leaned over
and measured out his work.

4.

The future brought
gayety down. An island

of ice must be waiting
for M. He cut

across the fields, his
heart changed.

5.

He was mortal, but like
a rocky headland

that gives no sign of
the seasons. Was

terror the price
he paid for living?

6.

Right and justice, in
long blue cloaks,

followed M, whispering
among themselves

through their strong
odors of health.

7.

A shade said, “You
borrowed

a hundred percent.
Six was enough.

For unpaid debt, I
reward you.

Be a blood-sucker.”

8.

Death counted out
the money

in his grimy palm,
silent.

And when all was
over, he

swept the name M from
the sheep.

9.

Man should marry
man and

apportion the estate,

but they
cast lots, and then

look stupidly
into each other’s faces.

10.

M suspected
cheating. There was

a trial, but
the poisonous

breath of
the jury laid him back

more than the law.

11.

In the mist of
blood, loathing

scraped his throat.

All he could do was
curl his lip in

a grin and
obey loneliness.

12.

If the world had fallen
at his feet, he

might come at any time
to a trader.

He might even love
tears. He was very cold.

13.

In the evening,
silver clouds creep along.

Thought, too.
You and I let go. But

there is one who can never forget.