On a windless night

I feel the house shake

A child swirls rises

I smoke. Sit still.

Forget. Remember.

In this twenty-first century

The wind screams, rises

My mind screeches

Scattering thoughts, paper

Rocking foundations, shattering monuments.

Outside I gather windfalls in my night clothes

Amass them

Images scatter like dust.

I forget. Remember.

Rain pierces my eyes

Blinding me.

Ashes stick to my lips.

I taste them,

Bitter as the cud.

In vain I scurry.

Collecting remains

Holding the broken pieces together

Fruitlessly.

Lights flicker in high windows

Cats crawl under cars

Rain stings me awake.

Soaking, shivering

I go indoors.

Pick up paper

Write.