And Another Night

That silver candle-holder placed
between two empty spaces He tried
to put the candle out and go to bed Then he
compared the strength of his breath
by the resistance of the flame
he discerned the flame’s contour – its faint
bow (to him) a consent
and then the trembling upright pose
He didn’t lie down
He stayed observing within the flame
in an immeasurable forgotten depth
that same body naked invincible
in a new ascension not at all illuminated
while on the right foot of ascending the same
rope was tied and kept following him