Boatman who will take me
through the mist and rain, I have ready
a piece of bread, a little copper
coin for the meter
of your time, for passage through
those treacherous channels—
And I know today
could be the day, but my heart’s in shreds
from the brightness of yellow umbrellas
on the sidewalk, from Louie’s
Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off
brassy on the radio And oh! If we
ever part, Then that might break my heart!
And my heart’s a knob of sugared ginger
warm in my mouth, my heart’s
the room I’ve yet to dust, polish,
put in order, for all my loves who are coming
any minute now to while away the hours—
In response to Via Negativa: Feast.