Epiphany

I awaken frail as frost

And slough away my dreams

Before dousing the morning light

And pacing dingy streets

The sun's smoldering done

I'm laced with pavement soot

And trail a charcoal cloak

In passionless pursuit

Hypnotic wandering, I breathe

Ashen dust and hear

All life's melodies ringing

Through the blackened streets

Until the ringing rises

And reaches a screaming pitch

That rings

and rings

and rings

A screeching babel and swell

Of banshee whims and wails

A cacophonous shrill

And deafening din which

Ends soon after it begins

Until I hear nothing

Nothing at all, again