Within Poem by Seamus O' Brian

A cavity un-probed by light
embraces an unfolding tapestry
of life, curtain drawn
but the orchestra hums
with the tension of appointed
time.

The stage is now dark, but the audience
encircles a wound in the earth.
Dirt falls upon dirt, dust returns
to its place within the curtain.

and through all the in-betweens,
the raging hegemonies of the urgent,
the soundless razored blade of regret
knifing through the daily requirements
of instruction in primary colors
and riding without training wheels
and battling disease with abstinence.

Cash flow projections and W-2s and
did you say good night to the kids
and and and
and another small crowd gathered 'round
another hole in the ground.

A lifetime of curtains
fall every day
to sparse applause
and a compact brochure at the end
summarizing the left behind

and the undones are buried
under the earth that falls
one last bow
one last curtain
one last now.