dispassionate
yet fundamental ciphers;
too old to be
cherished, and yet
still considered treasures;
imperatively given
by dead ends
to unknown futures;
helplessly passed, in fact
from one breath
to the next;
holders of the keys
to these perilous
identities;
so charged full
of meaning, but themselves
meaning nothing;
hollow yet impervious
as gem encrusted
coffins;
but comforting to recognize
as stillness
in the morning?