À la Recherche


His brain's bare purchase
From the top:
He's homeward bound.
He's left the shop.

Such vision struck
Between his eyes:
What overtones
To rhapsodize!

A wet recall
From parkside streets
Swims in his mind
Like quick gametes.

Why is he driving
Past her route?
Why does it feel
Like a pursuit?

He hoods his eye
And sees her wave;
His throat responds:
A sudden crave.

While once again— 
A cyclostyle— 
The crest of her
Enigma smile.

Would like a taste?
Indeed! À fond!
Italian ice
Of La Joconde.

Yet once again
She's something true
The silvered veil
Of déjà vu.

Has he been round,
He asks through fog,
And watched and watched
And watched her jog?

Or is it she
Who dogs his ride,
Repeats refusing
To arrive?

That crave again— 
This time no stay;
He pulls a pastry
From the tray.

And as the filling
Dabs his tongue,
A gasp as the
Machine is sprung.

A silk gauntlet's
Slap in the face
Reminds him of
A rough embrace.

Brain biting,
Suddenly undead,
The morning's lashing
In his bed.

Despite that frantic
Exercise
She's sought the park
For sweat reprise.

What labor to
Remember her
Whom but an hour
Made a blur!

First published in OF ZOOS