Manhole (May)

Kick the plate out of place and the earth opens up. Gaze into darkness with concern not to fall. Slip down into that darkness with one eye on the sky. Notice a few May leaves blow over the oculus, a glint a plane in sunlight. Follow wires along passages rife with modern feelings, life sentences. Descend via tunnels where pipes pour into underground rivers. Start remembering childhood ins-and-outs, home a given. Come to vault doors leading to other doors, like scenes in a film. Detect cold dripping walls of ancient rainfalls. Wonder how far down it goes before the fires.