Winter Rambo

of John Chapman’s seeds

one certified remnant lives

one tree to vouchsafe.

Isaac Newton’s tree

Was another matter; I

fetched an apple there.

Chapman’s tart fruit was

medicinal; Newton’s mass

a gloss for science.

Chapman rests in Ft. Wayne.

Newton sleeps in Westminster

their examples live.

I fancy each his

fable runs ahead of me

through eternity.

such distance, such time

golden ragged paths extend,

confound conflation.

Ariadne Weeps

His white sail recedes

Cruel fate of young betrayal

after her service.

halcyon waves wash

her calves as seaweed catches,

mocks her languishing.

nostalgia of thread

saving the hero from the beast.

he might be smiling.

isle forever wed

With her watery image fair

all pale ghosts of dreams.

at noon in heat she

hears a raucous train and sees

the god-offered hand.

no more than a shade

what choice has she but cincture?

she rides in his cart.