Understanding Objects, 2000, Hard Press, West Stockbridge

Spring Frost

Such a warm light, as in Greece descended
but flying with snow, not sand, along
this April ice on window frame appended.

The caryatids, in the morning paper
now I read, or some current magazine,
 have been removed to safety in the Acropolis

Museum, from their sunburnt haunt, Athena’s
temple, and Erectheus’, its noble head
upeneded in Spring’s everlasting breath,

chasmal and afreeze. Kids throw snow
in the lot across the street, it melting
while in here colorful records’ covers

warm the occupants, amid valuable articles
strewn the room around. O gods, let
the seasons come, but not before their

appointed time, and like for us, who
breathe their air, let us live through
the amount that, having it, is right.