standing before the gate
guardian and pedestal both.
enbrancing an dishonorable system of all things—
it sniffs coyly about, intrusive
—and discerns the nature of all matter
as if knowing all of true alchemy and
preserving prototypes of both material
and humming realms.
I find this to be something no greater that a requiem
for there is no greater abyss than falling
and no fear that is set further.
But pensive, this beast with its truncating presence
and slight salvations, lingers
and decides