the cat stoked it
it was utterly brilliant
light
radiating points as on a compass Up Down Left Right
and
no matter your approach
it
seemed not to give you its back
but
turned to face you
Up Down Left Right a stabbing
array
I hadnt a clue how he managed to aligned
it
Dazzling
Blazoning
half the Hermit was
drenched in its light like sticky syrup
his
other half nonexistent drenched black coal
absorbing its own shadow
one eye shone
gazed on the heavens
-- watch
the stars above suddenly quivered
like
a dogs flank
fireflies
curious and growing more curious
-- youre watching
he
never once looked at me
a couple stars broke rank
shook their alignment
gravitated
descending
towards
the Hermits Light his wily lantern
-- watch
nightbirds and bats twisted in the sky
then fled
the nearest star cast a dull
tinpan shadow over its shoulder
a mildewed vagrant creeping along behind it
then the bum recoiled
tried grabbing a handful of shoulder that the star violently shrugged
off
mesmerized
-- soon
I was breathing high in my
throat
pant
pant pant
couldnt get enough oxygen
faint
the star came on
-- ah very Soon now
it didnt grow in size
rather in intensity piquing
piquing piquing
no words guttural laughter
an arclight twitched spasmed
a
braid of lightning ensued
embraced the two
I couldnt say
which ray arced
the star twisted to vapor
dissipating shadow smoke
laughter
the second star came on
oblivious
wore the firsts glitter on its face
madlaughter
-- youre still watching yes
I couldnt answer
-- yes yes you are
a third star sighed
its
face whitebrushed by the lanterns emitted light
working its thumbs loosening its belt
of gravity
then
too it slipped its orbit
descending
into the vague wraith of the seconds shade
-- watching
the second star closing
began to tremble
a scarce tremble quivered vibrated
I
looked again
tearing my eyes from the star to behold the Hermit
half a cruel smile
-- watch
never once looking at me
a halo
bluerimmed
simmered
a
sputter a crackle
lightning arcing between electrodes
madlaughter
starkwhite gone glimmering starkblack
the air space
groaned sickly
the second was gone
the Hermit turned away to stoke
the points of his lantern
bait its hooks
the third star passed through the
seconds whisper of ash
punching a neat hole in its gauze
trailing slender strands
muffledlaughter
his back still
turned to me
had
he gone mad
had he finally decided because he could
he would
I couldnt
his actions werent mine
to endure or witness
to fear and be made mute
the third star came on
it seemed so expectant
so hopeful
the lantern blazed
its light
perhaps
a portal
not
devastating
perhaps
the Hermit didnt seem hear my
steps
as I came up fast behind
him
or he ignored them
a seared taffy was forming at
the stars edges
a plaintive hiss secreted
he didnt hear it
or
ignored it
muffledlaughter
the lanterns torrent went
black
squelched
stopped up by the Hermits body
and robe
his head Up
feet
Down
arms extended Left
and Right
the light choked
and the star confused
fled
returned
back
to
its cold comfort
black womb
0121, Monday morning, 7 7.
14
