Wanting The Moon
Not the moon. A flower
On the other side of the water.
The water sweeps past in flood,
Dragging a whole tree by the hair,
A barn, a bridge. The flower
Sings on the far bank.
Not a flower, a bird calling
Hidden among the darkest trees, music
Over the water, making a silence
Out of the brown folds of the river’s cloak.
The moon. No, a young man walking
Under the trees. There are lanterns
Among the leaves.
Tender, wise, merry,
His face is awake with its own light,
I see it across the water as if close up.
A jester. The music rings from his bells,
Gravely, a tune of sorrow,
I dance to it on my riverbank.