I
sky-wrought white-boned and white-breathed
like clouds erupting from me
me the microcosm home
of concentric infinities rosewater paradoxes
and like the winter sky
false eternal

II
lavender far unclipped blue all-watching iris woken
by the scrape of bare wood against plaster skin
scratching meekly noiseless like kitten claws on cotton atmosphere

III
even the raven throne near-naked is small
all things small contrasting
with the winter sky too vast in lasting always for a season
I last always for a season

IV
all is calm here now
all is calm all is space all is endless

V
unthinkably unspeakably blue-gray perpetual
and I and all beneath still here so small
so sweet safe and marvelous small
pocketed and finite

VI
winter sky is endless
winter too is finite

VII
Over-existential miserable elation
as finite as I fear it swells and slows
combusts rains ash of sweet almond oil days crawling
tired soldiers pilgrims lovers martyrs starlings
to the start again

VIII
winter blessings count two grand
the denouement the second chance

IX
here we start again.