Ways Of Looking

I list them off, one by one
To ease the subtle envelopement of night
They are all here, present accounted for
In the cool damp air like black birds
Settled on a chalk ledge waiting patiently
For class to begin.

The phone is ringing
7, 8, 9 times

"Here is the essence of the thing"
I mutter, struggling with the occasion
That has strangely come into being.

Somehow the list is too complete
There is something I have
Carelessly neglected to mention