smallest letter, elegant
and conservative,
keeps to itself,

yet partners with O
to uphold
all other letters;

incidental
if twice-repeated as compliance
to nautical command,

and as Roman one;
is the center
of every universe,

source of identity,
inhabits our creations,
cause of insanity

and germ of immortality;
the critical eye-opening
organs that let us

out of ourselves,
open doors
to all other I’s,

establishing,
preserving,
negating our island nature.