An Imperfect Window

Conceive of a word such as concept.
The word is not the concept. It is

A word: concept. It is not between
Us and the world. It is not the world.

It is not how we conceive the world.
It is not us. It is. Four-square, paned,

An item in a world of items
None of which exist as distinct things,

None of which is nothing. It wavers
In the light of the cold afternoon

That reaches through it to the sick bed
Of the convalescent mind, dreaming

The small birds on the branches outside.