Soft as Chalk

So, so long ago

And so far away

When Time was just a line

That you fed me

When you wanted to stay

We'd talk

As soft as chalk

Till morning came, as pale as a pearl

No time!

No, no time!

Now, I have got all the time

In the world

Say, honey, did you belong to me?

Tell me, honey

Was your heart at rest when, darlin

All the mourning doves were howling us

A song of love's

Godawful lawlessness?

Say, honey, did you belong to me?

Tell me, darlin, did I pass your test?

I lay, as still as death, until the dawn

Whereupon I wrested from

That godawful lawlessness

I roam around the tidy grounds

Of my dappled sanatorium

Coatless, I sit

Amongst the moles, adrift

And I dote upon my pinesap gum

And the light, through the pines

In brassy tines

Lays over me, dim as rum

And thick as molasses

And so time passes

And so, my heart, tomorrow comes

I feel you, leaning

Out back with the crickets

Loyal heart marking the soon-ness

Darkness

Tonight, still

The mourning doves

Will summon us their song

Of love's neverdoneing lawlessness

While, over and over

Rear up! Stand down! Lay round!

Trying to sound-out

Or guess the reasons

I sleep like a soldier, without rest

But there is no treason

Where there is only lawlessness

In the last week

Of the last year I was aware

I took a blind shot, across the creek

At the black bear

When he roused me in the night

And left me cowering with my light

Calling out

Who is there?

Who's there?

Who is there?

I watched you sleep

Repeating my prayer

(Give love a little shove

And it becomes terror)

Now I am calling

In a sadness beyond anger

And beyond fear

Who is there? Who's there?

Who is there?

I glare and nod

Like the character, God

Bearing down

Upon the houses and lawns

I knew a little bit

But, darling, you were it

And, darling, now it is long gone

Sweetheart, in your clean, bright star

Back there, behind a hill, and a dell

And a state line or tw

I'll be thinking of you

Yes, I'll be thinking

And be wishing you well

We land, I stand

But I wait for the sound of the bell

I have to catch a cab

And my bags are at the carousel

And then Lord, just then

Time alone will only tell