sky and congestion
    up ahead—
why wait in line
    with this chewed boot,
this cold breakfast

river below
    and everywhere
the straight face
    of a season
passing—

long mile
    separates ice
from ice

            here—maybe
            a whole work—

knife cut, bleached peppers,
    vinegar and light

round clock
    is a loose knot
in time
    a plain devotion