When I go away from you
The world beats dead
Like a slackened drum.
I call out for you against the jutted stars
And shout into the ridges of the wind.
Streets coming fast,
One after the other,
Wedge you away from me,
And the lamps of the city prick my eyes
So that I can no longer see your face.
Why should I leave you,
To wound myself upon the sharp edges of
the night?
Moonrise --
big and bright --
over a quiet town.
People stare --
alone but simultaneously --
'til the milky light
hurts their eyes.
This moon reminds them
of one from childhood
but seems unlike so many since...
But it's all one moon.
a drunk staggers
around the corner, and stares
into the full moon.
the wobble & flicker
of candle flame animates a
face carved to stillness.
A wise man,
Watching the stars pass across the sky,
Remarked:
In the upper air the fireflies move more slowly.
Tiger Riding for Beginners 