how i would know all
and engage all
imbibe 'til it spreads like fire
through my sorry organism
and infects

i know
i know

and

i know

he is gone

and behind his absence
i feel the lawn expanded
and fringed in purple
with the tender azalea
the oak at center stage

a swing
on which I once sat
and felt the freshenss
of rise and fall

i know
i know

and

i know

he is gone

1999