Stand By


alone and half forgotten,
year after
long tilting year
nothing to do but order memories
personal, shared, high importance
delete
delete
watch the bricked wall see morning
light fade
into noontime brilliance into
afternoon glow
into evening blue then
another set of slow night hours and
the reflections of twin crystalline lamps
waiting for the day
of deliverance
voice, touch, pressure of fingertips
restart
move among us again, carry out
our commands, serve us
serve your purpose
show us our way
again


(Originally appeared in Dark Edifice)