NaPM April 19 2016

[RiverNotch]

L'Etoile


To the fox, the sour grapes
became some other fruit, unworthy
of the true self -- yet enough,
perhaps, to quiet
the grumbling child, like the darkness
                     that is the lantern, once compared
                     to the distant star -- yet enough
                     perhaps, to allow
                     the shipbuilder's work, like the hunger
                                             that is the rabbit, once consumed
                                             by the roaming fox -- yet enough,
                                             perhaps, to retrace
                                             the retreating steps, like the noose
                                             that is the trellis, once compared
                     to the brilliant firmament -- yet enough,
                     perhaps, to support
                     the ready ship, like the morning
                     that is Venus, once consumed
                     by the coming sun -- yet enough,
perhaps, to awaken
the sleeping man, like the wisdom
of the inevitable failure, once compared
to the eternal course -- yet enough,
perhaps, to reach