At first
we could ignore the Sightings
as smugly we began
the unfamiliar journey
from our urban refuge.
But eventually as we drove
they forced themselves upon us.
until we’d see them everywhere –
in the fields,
on the puny knolls,
encircling knotted men
in faded shirts.

In self defense we’d
avert our eyes
and attend only to
the endless streak of highway. 
We even fancied for a time
that they had disappeared.
Then
One would flare up
and then Another
until

Scoured by their incessant nature
we stopped and
fumbled for our map
frantic
to find ways around them,
pondering what icons
cartographers might use for
Immortality.