A Vanishing Trick

My feet are stuck
In treacle -
My hands are black -
My head was wrecked
On that reef -
My escape was narrow indeed.

I have come through
The tall gate - I followed
The steeple to get here.
But where.  I feel the great hand
Close, the light slide away,
The poison overflow
Rises like a tide.
Darkness chokes my throat
Coating like a sliming
Film of oil.

I am become dim,
Withdrawn, spoiled.
For I heard the gate slam -
I heard the people laugh
I stepped out of uniform
And I know
It will be soon.
I will be done.
Unaffected.  Unrecollected. 
Alone.

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