LABYRINTH
by David Radavich
So many streets have vanished,
signs stolen by vandals
or turned around, north and south
confused into up and down,
yesterday or tomorrow,
my best friend’s face has melted,
the war heroes of childhood
have been caught behind enemy lines,
my weight stays the same
but the brain is noticeably lighter
like a plane with less ballast
flying new and sudden
routines, even the skin thins
and bruises show themselves baldly
almost as paper being folded
with headlines,
the lingering body
simmers in its dark cauldron,
cabernet swallows direct
into blood, knees wade
through the turbulent river,
sun coming out a stern teacher–
soon I shall learn
who I am.