End To End

That first book That last book That next book That other book Beginning and ending in the middle —they all turn out the same The first book The last book The middle book The forgotten book Memory plagues that already said —only to be said again The first book The last book The borrowed book The successful book Images recreated —as words jump page to page The first book The last book The closing book The memory book An orchestra calls a final waltz —its conductor off the stage The promised book The distant book The transforming book The forever book Sameness trapped a clone of time —as difference strikes again That finished book That published book That famous book That holy book All critics choking in the dark —light burning end to end (Villanova Pennsylvania: February, 2014)