A cardinal traversed within himself
Retrograding, an opposition to time's progressions
Letting its wings cut through memory streams

It notices–

A cold sea breeze
Journeying from dock into the Walled City
Mixing with arid wind and fumes from Manila streets
Twisting and turning sky-high greens
Causing umber to fall, separating themselves from virescent leaves

Familiarity drove it to circle this scene
As the curtains of relativity are pulled back to show it–

A street lamp dims,
Refusing to team with others' gleam
That give the black iron above Charles' skin an auburn sheen
As it keeps on flickering like hints
From an undecided heart, calling out to the man with every whim

Familiarity drove it to land on a tree
Perched on its viridescent sepia shoulders, playing guardian to–

A couple sits
On the rim of the fountain at the king's feet
A hand touches a cheek, a warm caress as their eyes meet
Fitting into each other's gaze
On the dried cascade, dessicated, as the street lamps stay lit

It notices–

As it traversed within himself
Retrograding all of its current progress
Letting his memories cut himself six-deep