I was, once

I was, once
Originally uploaded by lorenzodom

January 28, 2008, New York City:

Chasing Numbers

I am
Not
but I was, once—
the torch bearer
the horn blower
the eternal lover
of 222.

Obviously, eternal no more.

February 22
used to be my book of oxygen
until it became a book of matches
inflamed, engulfed, charred
by life itself.

It is no surprise, no mystery
that I can breath better now,
now that I bear no number,
now that I’ve scraped away
the tattooed number that once
marked my heart.

I chase other numbers now,
but I often wonder,
and ask
myself—Why?

*

(R&O thank you for the inspiration)
Lorenzo

Rose, Olive & Me