Hasten Slowly Moon

Pale eastern light gently gestures.

Vision winter-held in chorus relief

phlox, cottonwood, tulip

root, branch & crown

how we have longed!

(the insuperable ache)

Aging agonal love, the tower impregnable

uncorrupted reunion delayed, messy

a febrile dream of ease/ yes, I’m in

but don’t hold me too close

(it all hurts b/c it all feels)

& we appear timely as a gallop, blink, drip

In this glistened current—under it, within it—

with opening eyes, a halo forms around you/us

a watery circle softening discretion

Merwin said,

you invented forgiveness

and forgive nothing

dawn of everyday says,

you woke in speed

and washed in starlight

A dun rabbit in the sideyard appears

hops, stops, turns a dark eye, springs.