Sevens

Sevens, for Rk

1.

Wash the cup and lose your ring

these chores and rules and being born,

I’m missing one and then the seven

Pauline upper lights heavenly gifts by which

I stand and hope to get clean

poor dirt it’s me again can’t find

Chinese court dates where we all confess.

2.

Cover my feet and I’ll still walk

shoe the earth and that’s me too

so now why are you questioning me

certainty all around you’re free to go

thou rogue theologian but the damage done

a comedy of errors a blank page

tools dancing to the white of dawn.

3.

What plant calls day its variable measure

inspiration then sleep, the taste of almonds

who told me it signifies eternity, sarcophagus,

somewhere to go or someone to be

how meanings thrive in such hazy soil

only a little left until I’m free

another image both leading and eating you.

4.

Typical of moths or lights or candles

just like me happy to follow you

your whole life unnoticed not alone either

our names are Peaseblossom, Mote, Cobweb, Mustardseed

Venus crying out of your rootbeer float

numbers are an easy at-home science experiment

leave one out and see what grows.

5.

There’s a herd of cats my lord

your silence said it all at lunch

only I stand between them and wine

patterns that determine the distribution of particulars

shells, foam, to each its assertions follow

glittering sea-spray and the ship continues

syntax like waves can sort itself out.

6.

The lights shine on me, li altri

someone else, the anyone, the other here

so don’t expect any me from me

while maybe deer in this blue fog

I can’t wait to tell you about

ago from me as you are now

these hungry roads nosing through the lawn.

7.

All I meant is it’s tomorrow already

this small applause that nuzzles your ankle

with its lagomorph teeth and oblique stare

whatever you did is what I wanted

even the porch whistles in this wind

light telling me to go to sleep

the way you whisper yourself a secret.