O

-against which

there rake

branches

that rust 

and grate

into

frayed ringlet

curls upon

curls

across midnight

floor-board 

slats

as cork or

chalk is

smudged

upon,

against or

on

which - this

stretch of

indigo

sheen - with

a cellophane

pallor

it gleams

as virgin tomb-

stones 

of marble;

then hammer

then chisel

then name.