What closes and then luminous? What opens and then dark? Kawarazaki Gonjuro steps from his make-up mirror Into the violet extinction, taste of eggwhite On his lips. The ocean's slant eye Shutting on sand while children at jungle gyms Parachute upward like seeds From the dandelion's feathery pappus. The birdwatcher lifts her glasses. Halo light Perforates the curtains of her retinas. And the valves of every ear blow open. Then Rain, not in torrents, but ceaselessly comes Unchecked out of everywhere with nothing To slacken it. |
© 1999