All that a—narrowing
mind
can still
note is that
the near-
frozen whites
of its
tough-to-flit eyes
have never
been shown
such a clean
and near-motionless—smoke
suspended—in spools so
thick
and dead-
silent
and tethered-
up tight
to remote and
girded rows of rough rooftops;
as if—
even the most ethereal
of vapors out there
must take special care
unfurling—
in such unfeeling air.
