Wrest my head from this,
a twinge as illusive as pins.
Rake the bottom lore,
as off the mark as 'sins'.

I'm neither lessened
nor strengthened,
I reek of applemore and soot.
I draw and I leave unconceived.

I grow without practice.
I denote without lye.
I smile hopeless, with gladdened reprieve.

My pallbearer whistles,
and thinks of my joke.
I painted enough. He believes.

Turn tears now to grinning,
as I've learned the unbluff.
May I end this long night with a seed.