Box to outpox 
hardening knocks
color of velvet 
white purple black or red.

For logic of vampires 
whose bite at neck
stung first
then bled.

Arose and fled 
paddling and stuffed,  
miracle and sleet.

Kingdom for a shore
never and forever
fossicking for more.

Chairs dangling 
in the dead of air
lantern hanging
like a prayer

Blood lines pulling 
at roots of hair.