quantity
the numerical elements
lacking order
like chaos
in a sea of

red
so vivid and uniform
the parade of bishops look like
a stream of hot lava
pouring their way down
the mountainside to the pope
or perhaps

a bird
delivering its message on
wings so sharp, jagged
cutting through the blue sky

essential
its message
fundamental to the core
of the earth, of the heavens
without it,
nothing