1.
I’m tapering
the doctor says––
It might feel
like you can hear
your eyes moving––
space racing
from the back
of your skull
to the front––
Mine goes a little
cold sometimes––
I don’t know
how else
to describe it––
Tall black candles––
2.
I’m tapering
off
because they
make me
very sick––
the morning
and evening
tablets I take
to stave off
the chill
of consciousness––
Two poles––
all stomach
or all mind––
Tall black candles––
3.
I’m tapering
off––
a gentle way
of saying
withdrawal
without the long
awl of it––
the taking out
and taking out––
like cash––
My brother’s eyes,
drawn out
for days––
Tall black candles––
Ash––
