The sting

I bear this indefatigable sting
That those who love me should walk away.
(If only I were able to say...)

    "Stop."

Or: "Stop, but do not turn;" or:
"Turn, but do not return—

    Return
    To this tombly road
(This screaming, empty throat
Towards the buildings down the street);
    To Time
And his silent retreat."

    To the Great Fall
That I cannot see. (Such a sting
I bear: like an unflagging shadow, like a string
That used to rattle—and sleep snakelike
Beneath my gloomy eyes.)

If only I were able to desist! (So easily...)
Desist like men with stings but sans their spines;
Desist as songs of woe (without their rhymes).

Desist! desist!
I shall desist
    And drown with the Troche of Time.

Dale Chou
2005-08-08