76) To John Wieners: Elegy & Response

The street outside


the window says

I don't miss you, and I don't wish you well



Says crocuses

coaxed out of hiding

and killed in the snow



Says six o'clock and a billion black birds

wheeling, and the dusk stars

wait, and the avalanche waits--



And have you looked at the paper today



Medical research discloses

that everyone is going to die

of something



Ulterior avenues, I will not take you



Supernaturally articulate pencil, where the heaven

of lost objects are you



Beginning summer now, incredibly close

clouds like an illustration

that disturbed you as a child



Appalling and incomprehensible mercy--



The seeing see only this world.

---Franz Wright