& I.
& I retrieve one capital memory.
of fire dancing in my youth.
a flesh not mine searing.
& no flame genuine.

& I lie down.
on porcelain grains.
visions of smoke.
a stench.
a desire.
a dead circuit waking.
my brain knows defeat.

& you,
ask me,
if I soar?
beyond great lakes
& before steel corridors
above a muddy fortress
& below bell colored carriages.

there. above.
or below. but with me at least.
at last you rest.
at last you're warm.
they watch, they sing & I mourn.
I wake & we sleep.
on beds of white leather.

& I.
& I walk.
& I run.
& I see.
& I translate cosmic mysteries.
& I revere your pain.