deterioration
oh I can imagine
of all the warnings you’ve
diabolically disclosed
I wonder what
& why I’ve done what I’ve done
whether silencing
or perpetuating the species
the metal bucket
rusts away
continues to hold water
you bring it out every may
admiring its battle
against deterioration
one day you’ll buy a cane
second or third hand
wood darkly stained
notches here & there
old stories told to you
by way of dream
and when you awaken
it helps you to your feet
may two thousand twenty-one
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved