I was not afraid of legacy
seeking out a collateral
collapse of a fantasy.

Raising the ante―
I was prepared to meet
the unknown in your chest.

What came as a surprise
in a white boat. I will
never know of death.

A pause, a stutter,
sacrificing civility to open
the door of the poor syllables.

The secret will go in―
the grave along with
the famished poet.