LEAVING THE SAINT:

Paper Raven at the feet lying in a pool of aftershow hiss
on the floor of a midnight elevator.
“Hello Raven”
“Hello Karl, how was the show?”
“Great, thank you for asking”
“Don’t mention it, all part of the service”

Six hours sleep, body steamrollered, ears ringing,
stay focused, remain physically fit & able, sound
of body & mind, to jump back into the sky. Breath
the processed breath of our fellow passengers, feel
the drag of that thin wire drawn through your head.
Land into the unknown, stage as yet unbuilt for
tonight’s show & wait in a hotel in a city a long
way from home. Let’s hope they have food & windows
that open.

(K)