11/23
Sonnets From Other Lives: Old Dogg

I can tell you what is is –he says.
is is here & now & then & soon—
simultaneous coincidence.
He holds his hand up to a swollen moon
& squints & pinches it between his fingers.
Hell—it ain’t no bigger than a dime.
& for a spell his new perception lingers—
he wonders—was it ever thus? In time
someone throws more wood onto the fire.
This adds twenty new stars to the night.
Old Dogg thinks he’s do well to retire,
but then finds another jug of wine.
What is is—he says—see now I know
is is is as it was ever so…