October 16, 2019

• at midnight

  

  at midnight
  the clouds had swallowed the moon.
  that may sound poetic, but it’s
  completely false–the moon is so
  far above the clouds– way beyond
  cloud-swallowing reach
  and in fact, they don’t swallow
  in the sense of having a mouth,
  throat, epiglottis,
  stomach to receive that which is swallowed.
  and “above” is an arbitrary concept;
  in limitless space, what is above, below, beyond?

  at midnight, there was a clamor
  on the balcony. shadows were shattered
  by an explosive disagreement
  between two wild creatures.
  or maybe i was dreaming, and i wonder–
  are shadows shatterable? i got out of bed
  and went to the french doors
  to close the heavy curtains.
  “my god, they are going to kill each other,”my husband
  exclaimed. he was standing there watching them.
  the dog was barking.

  i could see the pond below;
  water splashing and sparkling…

  i don’t have a husband and the wild creatures were gone.
  the clouds had the dry heaves.

  the moon fell into my arms

  • 5:48 am
  • Comments Off