In the dark I rise and walk
beneath stars through snow with whiter stars
a field of light and then a field of light
II
The snowy fields, yes
but, my God, the stars
alone together
and the bare trees,
the drifting night,
the big bang of my breath,
and me walking
away.
III
Without the stars
we stand like Caesar
at Alexandria
great Antony in ruins
Cleopatra dead
the world at our feet
yet empty-handed
IV
This is the myth
explains to me
the path I take
away from you
then back