Numbered Pages
Deborah Russell, 11-10-2001

the story seemed complete
the flow of words unique
chapters, congruent to date
when numbered pages relate
evidence, the mystery of ages
sufis of life, words of sages

then bindings came undone
pages shredded, one by one
the lines were confused
and individuality refused

this dedication of light
acknowledging the night
the words became angry red
psalms singing for the dead

pages became protest signs
undoing all what once binds
the poems that bound the covers
words of friendships and of lovers