i run my tongue

i run my tongue
around my teeth

the sentry
while others sleep
pacing the weathered parapet

the blind finger
of the climber
gawking a hold

the hound along
the garden wall
sniffing a toad

the flouncing fool who
from cranny to merlon drools
cringing his blister bells

the newt hooksli-
ding into its
cold bouldered stream

i numb my tongue
in a boon of ice cream