I Work in Words that Cannot Stay

(a quatern)
I work in words that cannot stay
In guise and sound of those first known.
Like fingers sense in lovers’ play
The change and press in love's blush shown.

For po’ms remain like ghosts in mist,
I work in words that cannot stay
In single shape and can’t resist
As offer new with each I play.

For like the joy of each new way
We find to enter in and fill,
I work in words that cannot stay,
Within the holds from which they’d spill.

To serve that full express’ rejoice,
The strain that’s shown to gain the splay
That fills the mouth, both flesh and voice,
I work in words that cannot stay.