And I lay down in mirth

Mirth_and_metre_(1855)_(14778448445)

And I lay down in mirth
like a bed. Later I stood
surveying the good
and the spreading earth.

Then the woods were alive
with invisible birds
and it was good, good.

I stood at my birth
and was wishing the dead
could still hear the music I heard.

Then I pictured the dead
in their cold earthen beds
and the sound of them rose.
And the woods were alive.

And I lay down in mirth
in the grass, in the dirt
and the dead in their earths
raised their voices in song.

The invisible birds
sang along, sang along, sang along,
and it was good, good.

 

 

Continue reading

I took the post-ultimate step

Detail Stairs to Nowhere

I took the post-ultimate step
The one past the top of the stair
That you take when you know
There’s a step yet to go
When really, no step’s there.

Somewhere between plan and forget
I planted a foot in mid-air
Then I stepped up and stood.
Now I’m stuck here for good,
On the step past the top of the stair.

Continue reading