Hasten Slowly Moon

Hasten Slowly Moon

New Moon  April 11, 2021

 

Pale eastern light gently gestures.

 

Vision winter-held in chorus relief

phlox, cottonwood, tulip

root, branch & crown

how we have longed!

 

(the insuperable ache)

 

Aging agonal love, the tower impregnable

uncorrupted reunion delayed, messy

 

a febrile dream of ease/ yes, I’m in

but don’t hold me too close

(it all hurts b/c it all feels)

 

& we appear timely as a gallop, blink, drip

 

In this glistened current—under it, within it—

with opening eyes, a halo forms around you/us

a watery circle softening discretion

 

Merwin said, you invented forgiveness

and forgive nothing

 

dawn of everyday says, you woke in speed

and washed in starlight

 

A dun rabbit in the sideyard appears

hops, stops, turns a dark eye, springs.

 

Poem by Qayyum Johnson

Drawing by Suiko McCall. Moon of Pale Eastern Light, 2020. Pencil on paper, 8×10″. suiko.art