A Thin Transparent Heir

a dense fog lays close to its face
obscuring the more subtle grain
of its imitation

would
you
could

a duke sets in
on the pool
and where its gastric
grotto departs
the kris-like boat
is led to dream
caress

a wooden hand
heads the mast
and lanterns hang
in the hollow nails
pulleys in the chimney fingers
to raise the light

the duke
is stone
and lays on lashed ears
of maize

but the eyes are soft
two ancient eggs

soft
metallic
and stinking

grey yolks
with just a hint of

gold or urine