The Grammar of Light

Even barely enough light to find a mouth,
and bless both with a meaningless O, teaches,
spells out.  The way a curtain opened at night
lets in neon, or moon, or a car's hasty glance,
and paints for a moment someone you love, pierces.

And so many mornings to learn; some
when the day is wrung from damp, grey skies
and rooms come on  for breakfast
in the town you are leaving early.  The way
a wasteground weeps glass tears at the end of a street.

Some fluent, showing you how the trees
in the square think in birds, telepathise.  The way
the waiter balances light in his hands, the coins
in his pocket silver, and a young bell shines
in its white tower ready to tell.

Even a saucer of rain in a garden at evening
speaks to the eye.  Like the little fires
from allotments, undressing in veils of mauve smoke
as you walk home under the muted lamps,
perplexed.  The way the shy stars go stuttering on.

And at midnight, a candle next to the wine
slurs its soft wax, flatters.  Shadows
circle the table.  The way all faces blur
to dreams of themselves held in the eyes.
The flare of another match.  The way everything dies.