Concepts within abstractions within life
Confound actual realizations.

(It used to be, when I thought of you,
I tingled in every cell. Marriage
Has consumed my tingling self.)

Abstractions within concepts within life
Do not hold the actual skin of frictions felt.

(“Why am I doing this?” I ask myself,
“The years have been long, without self-respect,
Why am I doing this?")

Receipts within mind-reverence within life
Never equate to the sum of Me…

(Mother, Father, confidant, I am not then,
But you are, star-flyer, varied,
With poetic children of when.)

Reverence demands receipts, hold your pain,
I am increased just enough to complain,
Enough to be insane.

(I am dying, Newly Old,
disincorporated, and loved
By never-nows.)

Erin Elizabeth Kelly-Moen
© Copyright 3/4/06