The laces of his ribs caged A heart blue as a robin's egg Abandoned like a boat half full of water Kept from sinking by its tether to the harbor Like a willow spilling downward Or a hand to holy water His back bent like a reed against the storm. He shrank until he wasn't there at all. Tell us what you saw, John Drinking wormwood water from a brandy glass Oh, John, won't you tell us what you saw I saw a beast with bright red eyes Eyes as bright as a liquor store sign I saw a beast, tall and wide Tall and wide as the water tower's high I swear... I swear that's what I saw His tired eyes had narrowed Sullen, sunken, lined in shadow Like a flower bending to a setting sun John wondered if his time had finally come His kudzu veins had hardened Ever since the drinking started His life had been a quiet passing storm John sought to leave his mark upon the world Tell us what you saw, John Clutching a pen in your trembling hand Oh, John, won't you tell us what you saw I saw a beast with seven heads A head for every emperor of Rome I saw a beast with a crown of horns A crown of horns and a chandelier of jaws I swear... I swear that's what I saw see less