In the end,
your love was not strong enough -
not rich enough - is heavy but surface love,
is never defending love with the spinal break or the
leaping into danger’s way.
When Bernie wakes at 6 a.m.
there's a piano on his chest
and Erroll Garner's playing "Misty."
Sinatra's on the headboard
improvising lyrics
and Krupa's in the corner
painting on the drums.
The music is magnificent.
Once the song is over
Go out, she said, and get us something for supper.
He went, but he didn’t want to.
Bread, eggs, milk, cheese.
All the staples, the essence,
the basis of life.
The roads now glowing carry traffic south
over the farmers’ lanes ankle deep in dust
stirred by boys running off with muskets
and returning with blackberries laughing.