Importuning the Dusk

Gathering’s what must be done! –
amass illuminations –
the ones aimed, slanted, at oneself –
pale brightened perturbations

needed to revive the mind –
remind it it is flesh –
exact from it a recompense –
humility: address

its yearnings not with promises –
but, faintly, with a view
of all imagination’s schemes
and all they misconstrue –

to let their arrant play of sense –
nonsense – become the thing –
and not care overmuch about
the meanings they don’t bring –

and not care overmuch
about repute – identity –
but flit, instead, into a nest –
invite a wren to tea –

and kiss a pterodactyl –
then boil it, and shove –
and say to hell with poetry! –
and God! – and death! – and love!

One tries again to prise the light
out – quickly – unaware –
distract it, tangled, in a trope –
too late! No longer there.



.