The shadow-trader

I slip, slight, to slither and search
Backstreet, corner, dockland, church.
Sleek, slender, slacking my thirst,
For richer, for poorer, beggar-man, hearse.

I seek out the souls who flicker
Along the dark rims of society.

I search and slay by stealth, by shadow,
Over cornerstone of townhouse, millhouse, meadow
Sly soldier, soul-soldier, seeking soon slain
Prison-vault, poorhouse, counting-house, lane.

I seek out the souls who shimmer
Along the outline edges of society.

Those who breathe fire,
Or wound with whimsy;
Those who wander, wild,
Or will not be missed.

I seek out the souls who flicker
And cement their angry ghosts
Into the corniced, carved-out cornerstones
Of sweet, sacred civilisation.

For reference; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cornerstone (first and second sections)