you are everything.
i see you everywhere.
i hear you here,
i feel you there.

you’re in my bones,
you’re in my hair.

you are my skin,
you are my teeth
(although they grind
while i still sleep,

you’re in the air,
you’re in the air).

your voice, like smoke
inside my lungs,
invades the air
(pervades the air),

but do not let
your tragic speech
lay hands on her.
speak, hands for me.

you are; the dust,
that flies out my mouth
and lingers cold
in settled rounds

and pillars, forms
upon my eyes:
my charon’s fare
for my demise.

and pavarotti,
pavarotti
stiller be
than heaven’s gate

like papageno.
papagena,
lay me down,
your souls I keep

inside my mouth,
inside your hollow
tinny brain that
hides the doors,

i can’t escape,
i can’t escape;
my kidneys are
my tragic flaws.

you’re in the air
while i grow old.
you’re in the air
i feel on my ankles

for i grow old
with the bottoms
of my trousers rolled.
you’re in the air

although i do not
breathe through dreams
i wish i still
could fall asleep.