Not I, says the I-word

How far does the knuckle need
how distant is my

ear from the parrot’s ruin    how
true is the lure

of wonder from the point where
the forest departs

& asks, “are you the stare or the
gaze of my ask?”

—

Not I, says the I-word
becoming is
begetting the I     the

Naught is the beginning
of sorrow     the fire is
the anvil’s companion

Even before the sense of
word began     Not I, says
the word-I/becoming/begetting

The consonant is not-I     not
weary of the verb’s inaction
as becoming/begetting     not-I