A Mind Reader Once

A mind reader once
turned his powers against himself
and saw
God's strobing eye
in the feedback loop,
glassy like a porthole
and gazing at nothing specific.
Next he saw a cherry tree
growing from a radio
and the radio was caught between two channels
so the tree shivered blossom
to arias and cricket commentary.
Next he saw an egg veined with rivers.
Next he saw fieldmice in the dental records.
Next he saw all his faded holiday photos
shot from different angles.
Next he saw lungs.
Next he saw a chalice.
Last he saw a baby carved from pearwood
and the baby was being eaten by termites
but giggling,
giggling.

The picture went milky.
Everywhere he saw light.
His brain popped like a cyst.