Sirocco over Hellas

Muammar, 

If you were here I would tell you 

Today it rained buckets of red 

Dust brought from that distant 

Desert of your late despotat— 

A not unusual phenomenon when one considers

That maddening south wind blows hard 

Enough to take one’s head off. 

Rainbow

So bewildering 

To follow the spectrum 

Of the spirit, I was walking in 

Iridescent rain and thought I was 

Walking towards it. 

Being Swept off My Feet

Do I hear folly calling me again in guise of air? 

Well, blow me down—how was it I was unaware 

A whirlwind muse kept my frenzy hidden there. 

Stargazers

Not there 

Where we can be 

Seen but over here 

In this little corner of the world 

Where the stars lead 

To stairs that are invisible. 

Long Distance Runner Nearing Finish Line

Though you can’t make anything out yet, 

Near as the nearest phone booth, 

Someone’s making an emergency call.