Assayer
that if we look through flames at people,
quite plainly we shall see
(between eye and some star):
–
the comet’s flame is like our flames,
with the same nature:
the star’s blaze is a candle’s fire—
both can and we’ll be snuffed.
–
though the blaze be brief
and the fire steady
and because of a day of sunshine
breaking the night better
than overcast years,
be one of the stars,
give not to the fears.
–
we are now only ourselves
—never photographs—
—nor dreams—
—(isolated in time)—
so why look to sea
if ruffled hair
and disorders are all there will be?
instead leave it to others to look on our cowlicked Sundays
for though some stars somewhere are already dark, they burn brightly here.
