Because it all just breaks apart, and the pieces scatter and
rearrange without much fanfare or notice.
Because you can't and don't remember the step that kicked up
dust and left this planetyou'd give up even more now.
Because the body itselfthe heart's
not dead but deeper, wrapped up in curtains, a different color,
among the railings and the pigeons, the rooftops and
walls
for all you know it's a question of bread
or beer.
Because even love
returns. The city's all brightness
and shadow, deckle-edged, bluer than airthere's no help
anywhereyou no longer know how to listen.
And love says, lovemidnight to midnight,
already ablaze. And the boulevardwide-open. And the well-
stocked crowdless market, and a lone taxi blears.
Even happinessthe way anger's come back to roost again.
And joy, though joy's not in the ear or the eye. On this
walk.
The gulls hover offshore and the islands are speckled with fire.
Even love, even because.