Sunday, May 1, 2022

Some Oatmeal Cake for the Seely Court

Your victory comes at the expense of 
Everything else. You have won if your world
Immolates round your ankles, no trace left
Of what cultured the pearl, made you feel
Like a slave, because you were dependent.

Can you withstand everything you are not
So that what's left when all has been taken 
Stays on as will while the other you is
Handed back, borrowed, a facsimile,
No longer even your own soul disguised?

To experience so what you already know
As if you have forgotten, that's a special
Kind of learning, as every other thing
Finds it way -- by vaporetto -- to the whole,
Eyes watching from the ghost sateen formstone.