one hundred and one
well wishers, tread a sylvan road
picking up and leaving off
a careful harvest left ahead
by those planted before
twists of root and thorn
levy a toll on
the gentlest of slopes
all while nodding agreement
in elevation and clime.
one hundred and one
well wishers, thumb their coins
flashing impudently past
critics of art and ferrets of fate
listening for lonely
echoing cistern strikes
of promises unmet like
thieves crouched in closets
wishes are farthings when
dreams cost a dime
one hundred and one
well wishers, linked arm at elbow
comb a golden cornfield
open upturn mouths seek
manna raining down like
islands athwart the shore
scant feet above fertile soil
remembering days of
base clay and black vineyards
beside a usurped kingdom
one hundred and one
well wishers, apart stand as one
forever limned in dusk
toe in the rosy mourning
knowing full well
that hazy smudge of stars
sad heart songs and
gentlest loving lies
linger longingly best in
the darkest night.
