A life painted in Sage and Lush;
    Suspended, sprained,
    a weathered anchor to Argo

    How many variables does this
    experiment have?
    It's taken the virginity of all Hope

    All the klieg lights are dimming,
    cones of canary
    to dandelion and medallion
    
    The insects, once gathered in the yield,
    flutter independent;
    absolving all the absorption to the luster

    Remember when we believed
    if we long stood, bathed in those lights,
    Might our shadows burn to the pavement?

    When winter put the rosy color
    in your cheeks.
    Those east winds are more jagged than most

    Now, only biting rosy ulcers
    in your cheeks,
    Grinding the brawn between your teeth

    As the coat tapers from your spine
    it feels a weight
    still consistent and buttoned

    The bareness found in the burden,
    sap in stock
    is taking the virginity of all Hope