One to Four

I

One quarter of a century has elapsed
the diurnal movement of a life-cycle
rotating on its own axis
turned inwards and away from
hung by a nail upon the casement 

II

Two of the nine lives have drifted 
sinking somewhere near the embankment
while out prowling the empty streets at night
digging in this corner and that
poking here and there
in the trashcans lining the alley

III

Three horsemen have appeared
riding on fiery horses, spewing 
their sulphurous flame into the darkness
scorching one and all with their terrible message
blazed ominously across the bedstead

IV

Four has come arrayed
the number of an ephemeral end
a hermetic transmutation ordained
by the fluctuations of fatality, 
falling like some ill-omened comet
helter-skelter with the dice.


(from ''A Sad Piper'', 1994) 

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