Merlin’s Last Art

The heart becomes the master after all

–Even with my first and last art

of fire—blazing or smoldering,

identity is not known.

Heart smothers the flame.

Water banishes it.

And the smoke rising

in the air and the weightless

ash that drifts into the trees

are someone else’s gifts.

I have slept through

the exchange.

–Shaun Perkins