Ramekin

He was locked

in his cell

safe in his self

the mother

of pearl shell

that he polished

in his wake

with fist or foot

fit him awfully

well from which

to imbibe a taste

of Life outside in...

She would read him

Lewis Carroll

or dress him up

in Seussical apparel

if he would only

venture to make

an appearance

somewhere near

the hour...........

They knew him

by name, by heft

and by wait,

though not yet

face to face.......

and she sighed

over the special

designated

little plate

that left its

rim mark

around a certain

uncertain date...