1

You have the slimmest body. The light fur
That covers it is lovely. Lovelier
Still is that gold-shot hair; that,mouth, those eyes,
Smiling, unmetaphysical and wise.
Enough said. But beneath this you possess
That blend of gentle whim and forcefulness
That only a bartender of high class
Could have poured out. May I request a glass?

2

Hands held in friendship, hands caressed in love,
I watch you break a croissant, while above
The patio redwinged blackbirds swirl in flight.
O morning after! 'Triste' can't be right
- 'post coitum omne animal' - it's suspicious,
Even this instant coffee tastes delicious.
It's drunk with pleasure and I'm drunk with bliss;
Sleep; Donnesbury; and sitting here like this.

3

You don't love met at all? O God. O Shit.
you still 'respect me.' Thanks. I value it
About as much as one who's asked to use
A second hat when he's in need of shoes.
Since, I discover, my own self-respect
Is quite enough to keep my spine erect
Why is it true my ample self-affection
Will not suffice to buoy me in rejection?

4

So now instead of Zen gardens, of why
Small Markets work, of loquats, of the sky,
Of kinship ties, of that house-shadowing tree
Propped up by iron poles, we talk only
Of us, only us, and what went wrong.
Curious, I suppose, to note how our rich strong
Companionship has thinned to this lament
Analysis is free when the rest is spent.

5

I've spoiled your mood. I'm sorry. Yes, I will
Keep clear of you. I t will require more skill
To keep you clear of me, you who infuse
My music now, my sunsets. I could use
More fortitude and say the afterglow,
The coda too holds beauty, but I know
Too well these diminishing chords of light
will be resolved to soundlessness and night.

6

Here are the plums. Take all you can, my friend.
We will not meet alone again. The end,
Without, alas, a happily-ever-after,
Is here, but undisgraced by covering laughter.
If bitterness there is, still there was love.
What you and I have shared reminds me of
These plums that we will separately eat.
For all their sourness, they are wild and sweet.