In which the Atom witnesses the dying breaths of a friend in winter . . .

ocean snow, the gas stations a necessary design

luminal and homeless
outpouring exploits for unnecessary function

thoughts settle on the rose crux
the creases of unwashed sheets form written in wires, turning
dusted cocaine mirror
the color of blood runners

a small razored smile could a grail or
remainder of the ant infestation became you

could a sparkle
damn your friends and claim you a hotel room

horizontal limit, vertical position,
district of the poor cosmic particles
spectral as police warlocks who
charge & flutter like bats and heal?

the coal smudged on the train tracks is
pressed against her breasts like a dagger
unsealing various arterial rhythms

swerve of atoms through headlamps of cars
& patience while taking the mother’s fingers;
knots tied & broken like the fire that became the bodiless crucible
meanwhile untied from the handcuffs

entropic surge of a pretzel or donut,
rabbit hole of hungry mouths awaiting
maturation from a few & the action, the word, the breath--