Lately I've been

reading Cavafy, Simic, and Frank
while newspapermen pass me by
calling strangers, interrogating telephones.
I've been summery-er. Er. That is.
More like summer and tanned-gold-almost.
I've been substantive.
Bishop helps - the girl, not the hat.
Poetry days, morning runs, trains.
Lately archways mend themselves
before I walk beneath them and
pigeons manage to balance
on those very thin
white
cornices.

I think,
"like kings of old,
or like a miracle"
and gallons of coffee to swallow
and crumbs that are buttered loaves.

It is dark still,
but I see the sun coming up,
over the balconies and white
pyramids - warming them,
so cool and calm and real,
and pointed.

It is so soon, isn't it?
That we'll all be together again.

CDL