Want the moonless night

the sable mask that blinds the stars so that even

the owl and fox and every prophet of sunless song

retreat to the wilderness of memory

making this body the only oracle you need

as silence slips its long arms around your shoulders

and the dark road carries you mile

after lonely mile with want a silver stain

on your cheeks and somewhere, waiting,

the acclamation of jasmine, a candle flame,

a cup to fill these pilgrim hands.