Line Forms Here

i was never an optimist

at 4 a.m. woken by cats

as blizzards after the full moon

stirs snow from the eaves

into the dove-feather sky

alight

an empty lamp

that contains the tao

i should make lists

for the next guy

at appropriate distances

monopolize discussion

on elaborate rules

my inner-child recognizes

as games every one knows

but me

cards pile up as honest

brokers of your first book

wave branches at waxing

deified bodies

trumpets our sef-

reflection in the good light

my brain chemistry diverged

& that has made all

the difference