Phlebas VI


infallible weathered clock, teased and moved
below the temporal rod of tensed steel
wherever the line is cast he's dredged, fishful
monstrance and cold febrile barter
off for eyes in the dark: frogmen's stories
clean cut nails instinct bore him another descent
scenes deliquesce the pity of it
and the shame — his mother's all for burial near home
on uncontested ground that burning probably favoured —
an accident then, intestate
only one shoe — the stories mumbled-on and spelled
oblivion & common weal farewell