This Aged Head

I become more ignorant 
all the time 
more doubtful about 
what’s mine 

I’d even say 
I’m in decline 
except for 
one thing 

that I’m burning 
by degree 
that’s remained 
constant with me 

this thing’s here 
in front of my mind 
that I never 
fail to see 

and so I work on it 
as it changes shape 
sometimes I don’t recognize it 
most days I lose myself 

but I work on it 
it keeps me up late 
holding me to a line 
until my last breath