descending a conch staircase
Ouroboros is carved in marble
on the wall of a solitary cell

tedious days of Assassin Mr. I
aiming at the eternal spire
beyond the plaza
exquisite geometric crenellations
endure a lonely burdened time

space of sunset red to
a space of darkness

Mr. I’s fingertips shake precisely
as his polished sight layers a slight shadow

there you are (italics)
the chubby Cardinal with the scarlet hat

Translated from the Japanese Taylor Mignon & Yarita Misako.