he felt the shock waves

before he felt the burning.  the pain

was immense, but he smelled no melting flesh.

Internalize. smoke clouds ferris wheeling

Around his head. he thought of Alcatraz. Dynamite.

hieroglyphics on his stones gave away deep.

she had drilled for gold and had found

iron pyrite.  she had been pleased. she

could not tell the difference.

            when the wall came down on him,

she stood above tossing flowers.

he attempted to extricate himself but

decided it futile. he dreamed of circus lights

all the days he died and thought, “Only if.”

but could think of nothing else to finish.