Journey

Beginning a heartsick journey by pulling
undulating grasslands from the pool of memory and love
where we stood once, taller. Things made sense
but as you might expect, that's gone today
and a restaurant laid out its parking lot like a menu
to tempt all comers in.
What pain? Few medications would do the job I'd like.
Have you stood on the edge of unremembered plains?

It is morning.
Darkness stands at the bedside, waiting. God
spoke to you last night but you were asleep,
and now you're on your own. Face up to the shower, let it wash
if nothing more, at least you.
What broadens in the dawn is thinking, but
not thinking is the consummate.

The musculature of humanity is intimately connective,
tendons entangled and fleshed in indelicacy.
but pangs are instantaneous and gone,
happiness grokked in the moment of a glimpse:
brown overcoat at the other end of an afternoon street
shot by slanting sunlight. The terror of an absolutely
comprehended moment. It's a distraction,
but one I'd rather have than to see my all in longing sameness.

Once you liked brass. let it play, full face on to the horns in heat
and sunlight. What a blast; could you be any nearer to the heart
and beat of all of that? No; walk on, satisfied, even thrilled,
to the next adventure, full of happiness and cash. Later we'll eat
in an odd place where divers entertain. Last night I thought about
what you said, and I agree: Airplanes are desirable in a tedious place.

They were hijacking phone numbers all over the place last night.
I thought you were my friend, repeatedly.

You have not been here before; I understand it now.
But you have. If you are the one, tell the others, please.

December 13 2017