In a Word

How much can a poet say in a word?

A word like a love drawing you within,

Past commonplaces, into a chamber,

Wherein she unlaces all nuances

And lets them slip in her magnificence,

So that you may cherish each curving line

And marvel and be silent and adore.

How long should a line of poetry be?

Given birth from the cloud of unknowing?

Oh let the spirit dance and spread her arms –

Arms catching my eyes, my ears, all senses –

As we whirl in rhyme, in rhythms, and sight.

Here, let us dance – we have danced – all alone . . .

Holding the flowers, fallen from the night.