^{to Ken Kesey & Ken Babbs}

Clumsy at first, fitting together

the years we have been apart,

and the ways.

But as the night

passed and the day came, the first

fine morning of April,

it came clear:

the world that has tried us

and showed us its joy

was our bond

when we said nothing.

And we allowed it to be

with us, the new green

shining.

          *

Our lives, half gone,

stay full of laughter.

Free-hearted men

have the world for words.

Though we have been

apart, we have been together.

          *

Trying to sleep, I cannot

take my mind away.

The bright day

shines in my head

like a coin

on the bed of a stream.

          *

You left

your welcome.

 

(at St. Mary’s)

may the tide

that is entering even now

the lip of our understanding

carry you out

beyond the face of fear

may you kiss

the wind then turn from it

certain that it will

love your back may you

open your eyes to water

water waving forever

and may you in your innocence

sail through this to that