Thank you, Allie. And thanks to Gail
and all my friends at the Poetry Center for inviting me to read
and for many years of wonderful programming.
And thanks to all of you for being here.
Maybe I can channel some of that zen to get relaxed here.
"The Conditions."
If we evade the past which hunts us.
If we have no guilt. If we have guilt but
hide it from gods and men.
If we refute the counterpoint.
If every contingency is of no concern.
If we do or do not endure.
If it is the breeze whistling through hollow reeds and not
the fabled pipes that call us back or call us on.
If they use the knife and drill but we don't squeal.
If forgiving and forgetting are equal.
If we love the evils we plainly without even opening our eyes.
If we tire of complexity, if we unbecome.
If a jagged stone buried in your loaf.
If one thing only welds gold to gold,
and there is no rider upon the horse but bridle and saddle.