Dense

recalling the man he was

now whimpering in a den
at the farthest borders of his consciousness

an apparition in a vast desolate plain,
sleazy like a dustdevil pinning a mistletoe

that haggard face forms a gravelled oasis,
fertile of turmoiled misemploy

black hounds cruise around their ire,
dissatisfaction growled in breathless soundbites

each step puffs out lachrymose scraps,
him outliving premature headstones

abandoned by companion stars and spectral votives,
dead of night frocks the patriot of adamance

pain shared was but the disembowelment of
his ghastly virtues.