8 Crazy Nights

Freedom and all untimed song-
just melody and unrhymed words.
Following each intoned chorus
and dancing with our unboned swords.

When found the gifts all freely giv'n
taking them is the first step to heav'n.

There is no ascetic debauchery
or drunken nights, raw entropy,
but true ascetic virtue is
to love gifts as gifts and God as He.
And to revel in thankful mysteries.

It is the Octave of Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God!
Merry general greatness of Salvation!

Mark this!

I have a friend most rugged.
who does not like to be huggèd.


Except by certain special girls
He also likes short poems.
So these are for him.
I hope he likes them.


If human loves are made an end,
I hang on others, their branches bend,
And I slide off, fall on my head,
When I set my eyes on human store,
I'm somehow always wanting more.
friends looking less human than before.


** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** ** **


If I set out to have a swing,
the trees seem tools for fastening,
But if I intend to reach the sky,
I find the sympathy their trunks imply.