Instead of Time

Degrees of certainty replace the tenses;
We do without past, present, and future
When verbs are conjugated by the senses,
And Psyche supplies the timing that suits her.

I know that it is true demonstrates the past;
Let’s,…could perhaps,…seems,…maybe: things to come;
I will negates — the doer of deeds struck dumb —
To blunt the edges of moments of waiting harassed.

The chronicles churn like gemstones in a drum,
Inflections flickering fresh, refreshed, incessant;
The mixture pours, the audible images run,
Intent in the mind’s eye, there is only the present.