first a subtle prickle

first a subtle prickle
needles through case

punctures armor
breaches mettle—
sheath
over silky smooth skin

strikes vital vessel
streaming qualm

darker than any
bewildering Stygian
twilight

doubt's trickle
transform to flow
oozing gel

later lichen
as banquet
for fast faltering faith

darling, this is how
waver spreads
Cimmerian

how argument is whittled
to fashion shadow-form
hair-trigger.