I saw a man diminishing at dusk...

Until

To the end, to the end – and higher than a starry way

Rise close to Heaven, watching high and low;

trespass against the bounds of human clay:

it’s easier than with men’s turbid tide to flow.

Have known enough – too much – and not enough

to say what’s done, to creep beneath the sky;

Have been distressed not by those husky and rough

beasts – to remember your first child’s say but cry.

This weak-willed flesh and this heart, dishonored to feel

Those innermost things, cut out to please the most

of those who loved you before and go on still –

‘till the last man’s touch and far neighbor’s mercy lost.

Sometimes I Want

Sometimes I want to drink with you,

To live under one roof.

’Twill happen not. There are a few

who’d rather dwell aloof

Than be the weakest link of what

some call now "loneliness".

If they would not, what stranger’s lot –

to add to all things “less”?

With you I’d like to have a drink

And get it out-drunk,

To have the softest bed to sink

And lie like a tree trunk.

It will be not a question whom

To pull the shortest straw,

to reach one’s hand (who should presume

to reach it – and withdraw?).

It will be no great matter how

we ever loose our ends:

If one of us will make a bow,

Or if we can stay friends.

Or if it matters, let it go

Like something of a mess,

Then let it rain and let it snow,

and what goes now – you’ll guess.

We’ll be a good match even if

You give it up too soon,

For who stays with a man to live

which tastes you with a spoon?

And while he tastes, he likes the smack

(all demons to ignore),

And in between takes you aback

While reaching up the core.

AUTUMNAL MOOD

At Ease

Now I enjoy all this charming habitual grace

embodied in nobody's gesture and nobody's face

Hearing only that smoldered magnificent call

As if being mentioned to leaves as a part of its soul.

Recognition

Grow from above to soar like a leaf

Rising neither despair, nor belief;

Turn to the earth your cold withered face

Giving her back just her own gaze.

Blown High

'Farewell' is said to a brittle twig

When broken is the yellow wing -

And the leaf is falling being struck

while, even dead, does run amuck!

Thirst For Life

As you deny these wars, and cries, and blood,

And tears being the greatest human flood

Since the first time a man was brought to life,

Was given bread, and love, and loving wife -

You see the time the light will be no more

As you tangled the ways you strayed before,

And think of those who stand beyond their wish

For death - to taste that exquisite relish

Of ease they felt (the sweetest fruit of loath)...