MERWIN'S INLET
I want to find the inlet
where rocks rub thighs
with the shore.
In the mango forest, small red flowers
I want to find the inlet
where rocks rub thighs
with the shore.
In the mango forest, small red flowers
the color of chickenblood
splatter against damp limed walls
& pulse against the shadowed green.
White veranda, gardenias, bleached shells
in black volcanic soil.
I check papayas for ripeness,
avoid stepping on the toad in the shower
& watch out for banana spiders.
As I dig the earth, my breath
says roshi roshi roshi.
Geckos chuckle in white-limed rooms
& swallow moths whole.
Last night I dreamed of lizards
eating the bark from trees.
Below the clearing, the sounds of the creek
are swallowed by the jungle.
Density & decay
the progression of desire.
Haiku, Maui 1985?
the experience was from 5/26/83; did I have another draft? I sometimes took poems that needed work to Napa for revision. I don’t know if it’s any good, but it was published enough times, so I put it to bed.
1991 Poet Magazine
1990 Poetry USA
1989 Chaminade Literary Review
1988 Women's Voices
1987 Electrum
the experience was from 5/26/83; did I have another draft? I sometimes took poems that needed work to Napa for revision. I don’t know if it’s any good, but it was published enough times, so I put it to bed.
1991 Poet Magazine
1990 Poetry USA
1989 Chaminade Literary Review
1988 Women's Voices
1987 Electrum
