For Joni

there are times when

we leave reason behind

what’s in front, in the now, begs forever

things like tumors
and fractures and aneurisms

are small change for the price
of understanding never

raw things like rumors
and capture and vampirism

remain in the nice

how we dissect the heroes of memory
is all about us
is all about we
our personal quest is plagiarism

I knew a woman, I felt her pain
I knew what she was from my own
personal ism

to hear what she suffered is the sweet song

it is not our story

it is not our longing

we dissect bones we unwillingly envy

it often comes down to
a suite condescending
an opera of voices in crisis unending

how we love what she gave us

beauty unending
is not for our small selves
to tear into bits
how we love what she gave us
that is what it is.


Photo: Norman Jean Roy