Waiting for George
Lying between linen sheets
Smooth as small blue petals,
In an ivory bed whose involutions
Defeat the sixth-floor chambermaids,
Smooth as small blue petals,
In an ivory bed whose involutions
Defeat the sixth-floor chambermaids,
I watch the sun forge copper bars
To close the city gates.
Twilight solves the day’s equation:
Dark squared on light, light multiplied by dark.
To close the city gates.
Twilight solves the day’s equation:
Dark squared on light, light multiplied by dark.
St. Patrick’s trembling hands
Shake out the evening bells:
Chill compline, laudamus lucent,
Domum, lustra, deus, spiritu . . .
Shake out the evening bells:
Chill compline, laudamus lucent,
Domum, lustra, deus, spiritu . . .
White in the anonymity of
Flustered pigeons,
Light as blown glass
Humming under a finger,
Flustered pigeons,
Light as blown glass
Humming under a finger,
A dove
Brushes my window.
He announces the advent of him
Who now is striding —
Brushes my window.
He announces the advent of him
Who now is striding —
His derby preened for flight
To the astonished chandelier—
Over the rods, meters, miles,
Of fresh-scrubbed roses grown by the management
To the astonished chandelier—
Over the rods, meters, miles,
Of fresh-scrubbed roses grown by the management
On the carpeted passageways.
The documents jostling in his briefcase
Rhyme where-as-if with now.
My unlocked door holds its silver tongue.
The documents jostling in his briefcase
Rhyme where-as-if with now.
My unlocked door holds its silver tongue.