I used to be sort of ashamed the way the excitement of giving
a poetry reading, and sort of returning
into the world in a way the poems that came up
to me from the world, that it took me so physically
and that I would get so full of energy.
And I thought I knew what you were supposed to do.
[LAUGHTER]
And I couldn't do it.
And then I went to a chamber music concert
in a living room, the first time I'd ever heard
chamber music in a living room.
And I saw them stamping and sweating, and smiling
at each other and rolling in their eyes
while they were playing, so I felt better.
The Couple.
On the way to the country, they fell asleep in the back seat.
There was enemies, rulers of separate countries, sister
and brother.
Her big hard head lolls near his narrow oval skull,
until they are crown to crown.
Brown hair mingling like velvet.
Mouths open, the rosebud and her cupid's bow.
They dream against each other.
Her calm almond eyes and his round blue eyes
closed, quivering like trout.
Their toes touching opposite doors.
Their hands in loose fists.
Their heads together in unconsciousness.
They look like a small royal bride and groom.
The bride still a head taller, married
with children in their middle ages for purposes of state.
Fighting all day, and finding their only union in sleep.
In the dark solitary power of the dream,
the dream of ruling the world.