The Hinge

Lithograph by Franz Cižek

The Hinge 

        Forgive

the craft

of pouring myself

into pitchers.

Water

cannot tolerate thirst

for long periods

of time, the thirst

that invaded my home

during the years

of submarginal

words.

Burglars

burned down

the charity bazaars

and school libraries.

Now my son

will inherit

a handful of ashes.

Only "The Imprint of Reticence"  

remains.