Did Not Reach

morning, I’m so happy

to be air and liquid fire

it’s not much to count on

so many go down in the black water spiral

I dreamed I was drowning

there was light upon the beach

her heart was that lantern

it was just beyond my reach

I reached but I did not reach

damn all the flowers

beauty doesn’t last

paper boat in the gutter

and the river’s flowing fast

small purple crocus

shivering in the heat

world out of focus

dangerous hammer in the heartbeat

I reached but I did not reach

it’s too late to talk

smile of a girl is gone

it’s too late to talk

she will never hear her song

and all we ever is anger

and all we ever say of greed

should steal away ashamed

at all the times we never heard her say ‘I’m in need’

strum on the banjo

beat upon the drum

shout out to the new light

‘I love everyone’

there’s storms on the ocean

In the heavens too

storm in the heart

of everyone that she knew

she knew but she never knew

1999