when i sat back to hang my heavy crown

with waking eyes i saw the silent sheet

the first flecks of a phantom falling down

the rain like wraithly silk upon the street

i sat up startled by the mist

how many raindrops had i missed?

how many more the motorists?

their slackjawed stares their fuming fists

they went on driving wild and dumb

i scarcely noticed though i watched it come

i witnessed in a moments breadth

what we are losing breath by breath

a clearer question never asked

how much of life is driven past?

-x2A