1.
Around the pond
the wired fence
a runner’s winter sweat
to the circle
where the children slide
in dirty brown
snow.
Upward branch
a hawk
binocularized ornithologized
precious minds attention
on feathered weather
songs of gliding height
soaring boundaries
sharp claws
dead mice.
I asked you
to play
and you came
later brightly lit
together in the
parking lot
night watched by the
Cambridge
Cop.
2.
Spring
isn’t that when you
step on spongy grass
and smell the woods
in heat
and the city
full of cramps?
The spaniel’s relish
their lion’s share
of dandelions
who smiling at
the blue sky
imitate the melting
sun.
3.
And your walking and talking
stammering friends
loose in
the winter chill
sidewalk
collars tight around
red necks
knowing, frowzing
looking to catch her eye.
I thought of you
again, sitting wild-eyed
next to her on bench
soft white winter light
heating the brow of
your friend’s warm thoughts
mouthing the wistful countenance
of another day’s
sought after glance.
(1984)
