Wake, the telegrammatic

message begins: full stop.

thousandth mile of a first

step--(crazy wisdom).

the journey condensed

to a stone talisman in hand--

squeezed hard enough to

issue water.

leaving clear splotches on

dust-caked feet, a deep breath

takes itself.

an Arcadian distance betrays

the sunbathing emissaries of fate.

a feeble self-hug is given, to

quell the shudder.

a roll of coffee in mouth, with

the gradualness of staining Teeth.