Atlas

On a good day, I lean on one side and
Listen to the weight of the world
Upon me: my own shadow so close to my
Nose that I can almost smell the sweet
Scent of dust; my ear a delicate cupule.
'Drink up,' I say, 'every last drop.'
And it does just that, swallowing whole
To the last gulp, to the last crack of
Atlas stiff-back, gatekeeping a globe
Containing all.

Dale Chou
2012-09-03