Deeds of Utmost Kindness

The Second Presence: for Jack Gilbert and the Manyoshu

The Second Presence FOR JACK GILBERT AND THE MANYOSHU This page intentionally left blank When the red flying squirrel hits The far oak, starlings explode In chatter. Fall Again. Acorns pop under my soles. Cranberry bog in flame. The dog Sighs, comes in wet, curls Into the desk Dark, nose between her thighs. The curtain conveys both: the warbler's Scribble at first profile Of pine and the broken Chalkstrokes of last crickets. THE SECOND PRESENCE 43 Pulse of crickets Over distanthighway's Bandaged sound. Beyond That, tugboats Hounding the harbor. Woodpecker: a sound Wobbling The wet trunk around. The full oaks Fold Into lake Light. 44 DEEDS OF UTMOST K I N D N E S S The boy treats his dog To milkbones with one hand, Pistols water from the other. Dead floating on the stormWater in the child's green pail: Her tethered June bug. The choices Of infidelity multiply Death. Quickened breath. Motel air Conditioner, octaves Of electrical appliance. THE SECOND PRESENCE 45 In back seats, children crowd The window,mime, Crook their elbow Up to make The truck beside them blow. "b.j. call Dan" and A phone number. In different Ink: "Your queer." What he remembered of twice being hit Working road construction by cars Were the two premonitory seconds, his gaze Drifting off to the wideningfield Before the utterly quiet treeline. 46 DEEDS OF UTMOST KINDNESS Past blue-tipped spruce, Rastafarian pines, a lean Light spilling Like batter across the dew Into this Bed of sageScented newspaper. With the authority of one Who stands leashed before children To a three-legged dog. August undresses men In the park. A low-shouldered cat Traverses the rail fence. Panting Dogs withhold their bark. THE SECOND PRESENCE 47 Spits on a rock Hiking, dragonfly Lights on the spit. My lower lip numbs, Rondure of wineGlass at hand Bouyant on the voices' drone. From his watchface A spot of light, arhythmic Among tree shadows Hewed across the road. 48 DEEDS OF UTMOST K I N D N E S S Putting my son to sleep: An hour passes, when my eyes flicker Open, his flicker open. THE SECOND PRESENCE 49 This page intentionally left blank ...