how did this haste begin this little time
at any time this reading by lightning
scarcely a word this nothing this heaven
—W.S. Merwin, "Just This"
Even when living
in the moment
I am still afraid
the moment
is me. I do not want
to see it leave
though I never
saw how it
came this way.
Tomorrow I will
likely say
I believe in nothing
outside of today—
not even
the last time
I came to this place
and professed the same
belief. I know
the stars we use
to steer by
have all burnt out
long ago
but still I rush
to look up
an answer
to the question—
who invented zero.
