Along the Piscataquog

The radiant

mind-star

at my

birth

descended

to my

feet

and kissed

the earth,

and

blossomed

as a

body bright

and fair

that moves

through love

and loves

to kiss the air—

and feel

my form extending

into space

where light

and

passion

interweave

like lace

and knit

each

tingling

song

of flesh

and bone

out of

intrinsic

wakefulness

alone.

This

self-illumined

presence

at my

death

will brighten

with

the passing

of my breath.

Beyond

all gain,

its essence

will

ignite

the falling

rain,

the moist

and moonless

night.