Those of them who passed the portal
tapped their feet and laid a floor to
hold the feet that danced inside the door.
Those who built the stairs ascended,
passed, and having passed, pretended
that in the ballroom they could build
the favor of the ladies that they met.

She only favors those who build.

Those who drain the glass are drunken
from the glass, and yet not shrunken
down to be an olive in the glass she holds.
Those who do without are told
to live this sacred shiver of regret.

April 22, 1979

<< Previous

Next >>