To Helen, Maybe 30 Years Later

            dunes dunes

            veils veils

                        “To Helen”  - James Tate

Helen’s not goddess-like anymore

all the ships rotting en voyage

all backsliding a breakthrough

sterility the cause of rage

            or at least madness

the rivers of paradise

dry as

dunes dunes

veils veils

dunes dunes

veils veils

dunes dunes

veils veils

dunes veils

veils dunes

et cetera.

the fish, by the way, on display

            as beach art

coated with barnacles

and brine,

taste like lightning.

© 2012 – Mark A. Douglas – All Rights Reserved