Age

Even the sea is put to bed.
Even the cliffs along the shores look both ways.
Even the blur of the leopard descends
unto the refuge of flesh.

Because the very nature of art is questioning
even your statements will draw answers back.
Flies turmoil about the afterbirth
my dog today neglected briefly to eat the pup.

Because you are at least so many people
what with your demons, your aspirations,
and all of the various ways you excel,
you cannot, should not be, swallowed up.
But still you must.

—Greg Kuzma, “Age.”