Poe Poe

      we've been
      here before and
      no science
      can explain
      the treachery and
      trajectories we
      will travel -
      what is it
      when the bottom
      falls out
      and we find
      no footholds
      no landings

awakened by a
perpendicular
appeal
and we give no
ground
except the toe
that digs back
to hold
us steady
against
what we fear
will materialize:
an onslaught

that has
never happened -
wrapped together
like fence
and vine,
studying faces
for the wobbling
'facts':
just guesses
plus their
probabilities

if there weren't
an evil demon
behind human
perception we
wouldn't have to
invent one -
tangling
together our
hunches in
elaborate
evident
contradictions

a knocking
came to our door
today
announcing
itself as 'Poe, Poe'
and we gave
ourselves over
to the crack
crack
      and we've been
      here before 
      and nothing
      looked right
      again