i had gone to rent a room
a room small and dark
a room
without a window.

i had rented a room
with one small window, water
washing down
water to be seen
washing down
outside
my window
not a rain
but a continuous wash of water.

i had wanted to step outside
into the water
but had no suit--

i had rented a room -
a room with walls
a room that smelled of caterpillars
living in cocoons
feeding off each other
a room with a fireplace
facing in the opposite direction
with smoke pouring forth
into the corners of my room.

the smoke slivered out
alive with fire
a fire bursting into flames
flames melting into water
filling the cells of my room
filling the weaves of my carpet
filling the holes of the earth.

inside the room
people swimming
in all directions
to get ahead
to get A head
like fish
each with a tale
to tell.

outside
i become the fish
opened like a lotus
my ears growing gills
my eyes laying on
the back of my head
as i flounder
as i fly
and breathe fiery water
into my veins.