I am a fire exit pulled,

all flashing lights and blaring alarm.

I am a smoke detector

with its batteries run low.

 

A continual chirp.

A baby bird pleading,

“Are you my mother?”

 

There is no blessed virgin,

no circle of trusted disciples

awaiting return from the tomb.

The rescue team

missed the final flare.

 

Clung to an empty life raft,

all that’s left-

drowning or not-

is me,

myself,

and time.