Tricycle | Awake in the World

 for Jack Turner

1. Our minds buzz like bees

but not the bees' minds.

It's just wings not heart

they say, moving to another flower.

2. The well pit is beneath where the pumpshed burned

years ago wi.th a living roar, a fire lion. Down

in the pit, charred timbers, green grass, one burdock,

a vernal pool where frogs live trapped in a universe.

3. I've wasted too much moonlight.

Breast beating. I'll waste no more moonlight,

the moon bullied by clouds drifts west

in her imponderable arc, snared for a half

hour among the wet leaves in the birdbath.

8. One part of the brain attacks another,

seven parts attack nine parts,

then the war begins to subside

from lack of ammunition,

but out there I know the mules are bringing

fresh supplies from over the mountain.

10. Our pup is gravely ill.