Nocturne
Faces? No.
Shadows
slipping through the blue world
where only the moon glows.
Stop to greet them on the blue walk
or try to pin them to the blue grasses
in vain. They have no time for talk.
The night made them, and the night passes.
Yet, at sunrise, when you see faces at last,
but faces only
without shadows, then
you may be lonely.
Houses? No.
Lights, only lights.
Squinting through your window
from daredevil heights,
you strain to identify them, so far below.
What are they? Dreams on fire?
One by one, row on row,
curving in all directions to the horizon;
What are they? You want to know?
When night fades, you’ll see they are houses only,
houses without lights. Be patient then,
for then you could be lonely.
Dreams? No.
Silence
without echoes, without ashes,
the collapse of experience
into comfort that only the night gives.
But the night passes,
and once you have stirred
and the dreadful violence has occurred,
then there ashes and echoes without end,
then there are ashes and echoes only.
You may rely on it then,
you will be lonely.
A Night for Wandering Dew-spattered Fields
A night for wandering dew-spattered fields
Beneath the frosty gaze of white Diane! —
Recall how our hearts knocked beneath our shields,
Er-er-eroo! to follow Peter Pan!
Recall how we flew high as any bird,
How we were heroes of a high romance
Who fought a savage fight, yet with a word
Could turn to tune, and join the fairies’ dance.
Recall the one who led us in attack,
The Lilly’s ally, conqueror of Hook,
Protector of our burrowed bivouac
Where Tink and Wendy vied for his fond look,
Who calls me yet whenever the moon is hung
To fly with him and be forever young!
Now, David
Now, David, listen to your heart and mind
Together; do not shrink from challenge now
Because you find resolve too hard to find,
Repose too near; Refuse to bend and bow
To preening Time, lording it over you
With such disdain and stark irreverence.
Rebel! Now! Don’t petition to renew
What you believe you once knew of significance.
Yes, you have aged, and you cannot go back
To grasp again for things long past your reach;
Yes, you have changed, but for each loss you lack
You’ve gained a thousand insights you can teach.
The time to break the grip of time is now;
Together heart and mind will teach you how.