*****

Please forgive the rustling of the poet’s sleeping bag cloak in the following recording, on this very early morning.

*****

Recorded Reading (1:21): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/qo9bjw7e441sn7awb0a4o/Afternoon-in-Company.mp3?rlkey=j7urt0nh37ws00lq19yfmi607&dl=0

*****

Afternoon in Company With a Poet of Ancient China

He gazes out
Serenely
Beside me

Seated
Like myself
In lotus posture

No difference

No space
No time
Between us

On this same
Tangled
Growth

These very
Same birds
Same beasts

No difference

A little concerned
Over distant
Changing tides of political warfare

Keeping in mind
There may be a flood, a fire
An opportunistic neighbor

No difference

Recalling
Lost loves
Past betrayals

Wondering
About the welfare
Of loved ones

Glorying
In the sun
Pouring over this mountain

No difference
No different
No different at all

*****

Until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ and to begin once again to create professional connections and to rebuild her life, this poet presently lives homeless and at a fraction of her nation’s poverty level ~ still working to contribute to her society, however, seven days a week.

Arts patrons may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S. It does take several days for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts.