Devolution

I sit   in my circle

of lamplight fire, daring not

to look up as I feel the walls

recede, keeping

pace with my

devolution. 

Walls, black, empty, echo

the terror of the arboreal past, 

the frozen desert night, 

the Jurassic, lizard-ruled dark. 

Shrunken now, a pale-eyed

mammal, barely capable

of remembering those 

who didn't make it 

back

to this haven. 

I hunker, quiver and wait

for dawn.