26 May 2008

An Irregular Ode


Once I began to write,
Be ruled by Beauty & her wilfullness
& got no further
Choking and wheezing, subject completely to the selfishness
of my own history

I don't wonder that you doubt my love
My attention wanders even now, squinting at the moon
bamboo blinds — I should be with you
we're only blocks apart

The same imaginary beauty splits us up, I keep chasing
the one who invents the mountains and the stars
I'm a fool supposing she's someone else than you
are moss & ferns in forest light


Philip Whalen, 13i60

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