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counting sheep and storm clouds and flames flickering

down the hallway a rogue sparkler a trick candle

lapping portraits of still baby shoes still birthmark fading

mother's hair shining now melting as smoke whorls

a dervish ravenous for all things in stasis is building

and barreling trees sweeping rooftops razing

barns and bunk beds and life as you loved it a pile of pins

a brittle leaf your nightgown with blue whales

outgrown a shape for your hangnail sense that no

thing persists not for the long haul not to the last

sweep and far too many sweeps to count before then