M87* (pt. 1)





Proem

On the radio
a child set
the Earth orbiting
a black hole
the Sun’s mass.

We used the planet
to see the first.

In the universe 
dense regions
like this
are the exception.

This is true 
across the scale.

So what is 
this chance brush 
and why have I 
started with 
the light out?  



DAZE IV

Now less you
than the sealed
rolling papers
later accordioned 
into crutches,

             rusted blocks 
   again            assemble
a head              that rests                               
                       on two fists 
      and a torso twisted                                 
                ninety as if                      
     sneaking along
    you had been
        caught out 

        question. Without 
        judgment 
        permanently 
                                  held

in this state
do you apprehend 
miracles to which 
you have become 
accustomed
to depend on



Hysteresis

My exhaustion is complete
yet

tangled viola strings 
may together yield 

a major 7
as if there’s resolution 


Above the bar,
wine bottles packed tightly 

along white kitchen cabinets
ash

in tea candles


So dip again a finger 
into the hairline fracture 

making circles 
through to the celler 

spotlight your loss
at her throwing wheel



Evensong

In the galley kitchen
laughing 

to herself when
the rest is stopped 

to listen


for twainlight is inwindow 
wisteria

from an instance
of rayleigh scattering 

here speaking mutely,
recalled


Arpeggio is movement across
white sheets,

a slow translation 
of curtains by air, 

good morning