How easy it was to think in fantasies
that those who come here are deserving.

When they come sprawling through
licked by violet flames and hot emotions.

I watch as they sink down
loose apparitions dissolving

into the city of shattered flashbulbs,
grimy clocks, unfinished pairs of socks

remnants of broken dreams.
All the stars are eclipsed by their smoky breaths

swelling up like a heartbeat
out of the pit.

How I asked him to rid me of remorse
so that I could only revel

when the fresh innocents came through.
But as he laughed at me with a booming chest, I saw

the slow lightning descend. And in the eyes of new arrivals,
I saw those uncommitted deeds.