Goshen

For E. B. A.

Confession Apologia

1 Awake in words, only Bare cliffs, the forest teeming
seeming to sleep listing on edge, loose
I follow you out a pall soil and strife

2 At once I know where What you hear is
you are gone, already not speaking an idle spar
an othertime elsewhere late barb in ear, mere
mote in eye

3 Your brow remains What you hear is
unaltered struck light river in ravine mute rush,
by morning mouthed clay, limestone

4 You do not I do not What you meet is
recognize your double— headlong spring yourself
flash of glass, glancing of an early eve, spare rue
return home—if no other piercing, carried away

5 To trespass, to grasp: What is known
to forgive is what is said,
to ask your name,
this plea or plaint

6 After all Refuse how wander
do you hear not wander how still
here we are how stay what hollow
this palm, this kiss

7 Stay us our or hallow
unmoving break now
wind through stone
water, bone