JACK STRAWS




Chaos is structure, fear--
the glue which binds the whole


A life composed of sticks
piles of which are shaped


as traps, weirs, cones,
domes, tortured or ordered


some high-piled risers
others folded, badly fastened


Time will tease them apart
stick by stick, this then another


leaving a hole, a space
where light fills in


the sum reduced by one
then more light


blue, soft, opening up 
freeing to the fewest forms


The essence of a man 
amazed that he can stand


with so much removed
the little left which serves


to give the game its risk
and give the game its life