narcissus not step twice into, not step back from stream. its nets are storm blackened, narcissus’ flower is a cut out. it has shut in cold, skeining back into his bud echo and, outbreath. he skeins back his thread the blind buds are always. step (not-step) back then. step (not-step) back then, from the black river nets. stalk the open ring stalk the open ring, this waystation. others speak him out of chrysalis, it is voice brings us alive. it is an unearthing of voice, brings us alive. his hands bound by feathers, red wings, a difficult birthing. Copyright 2017 Chris Murray Online URL Compose Journal, Spring 2017 https://composejournal.com/articles/chris-murray-two-poems/