[in hushes, they name him]
                  
and we are huddled together
in closeness_
the life pit flickers
in warmth and
running ember
upon
the stone sky.
the young are ****** out of their bodies and into the air around
each
dancing breath.
the old nod, as
the strong wear too-thin masks
of
feigned indifference, leaning in from the outer
ring.
the story man comes.
and the future is
    woven
in this collective.