10:00

Unsuited to the haunting of desolations,

conspicuous in any weather, how has he

so far evaded capture? Sheer speed of flight,

self-propagation out of his own skin?

11:00

Without predicate, as in a pumpkin patch

at midnight, we might yet misrecognise

each other to some purpose, the sententious

pass-phrase forgotten in a heartbeat.

12:00

Here he is among the people, as though

untouched by his elevation. Not supplicating

but outspoken, his hands’ mentored

plain language supplementing his tongue’s.