You, with your laser-like eyes
with your great, great surprise.
Where were you when the town's
bell tolled loud and clear as the domed
world clinged, clanged with a summer's
night echo, when the fixed stars
held their place, their early summer
reference: You are here.

Where was I then, in the earth-spin
moment when it All Came Down
and the geese lifted high as if to say,
Enough! Leaving this world, they took
flight to some other. How I wished
I could follow on their downy, lazy backs.
But now, nearing forty, I see it is never
so simple as the quick-start
run. That one must stay put, no matter
that the pistol goes off and the flag
comes down. Shhhh ... that sound is
the rushing of your heart as you stand
as if meeting yourself for the first time ever.