Crow in the Courtyard The crow in the courtyard is watching the shadows from high on the wall It’s twilight: the time of two lights, then no light at all Betrayal’s a candle that burns through two lives we no longer know But we didn’t light it, we tell ourselves, lost in its glow When the time of two lights is one darkness The stars burn like candles above & the look in your eyes is a look of surprise at what you’re capable of The crow in the courtyard is watching the shadows The shadows are watching us all As we fall The fox in the alley’s patrolling the dark as if lonely & lost The invisible ink of his tracks & our footsteps have crossed The crow from the courtyard has flown from his wall to the wire up above Unseen in the darkness, he watches with something like love The blackness of crow feathers calls me To swim in their darkness and drown But the light in his eyes Shows no sign of surprise As he ruffles his wings & looks down His station’s a place safely distant He knows & remembers each face That passes beneath Branch, banner, or wreath Preparing to run or give chase The crow in the courtyard is watching the shadows The shadows are watching us all As we fall toward impossible twilight The fox in the dark is patrolling the byways Where lovers don’t want to be found But one day we’ll put all this behind us The crow in the courtyard thinks we are the shadows Unworthy of watching at all As we turn to the kindling & firelight & fall…

Watchman Who calls the watchman Home from his watch Who waits in silence Far from his touch Who is forgotten Who is forgotten She lights the lantern Far from the field Shadows have gathered Into their hold Stars that have fallen Stars that have fallen What follows in the night Like a satellite Face swept clean of light or color Featureless and white The moon divides the night From the day that soon comes after Who is forgotten - Stars that have fallen - He sees the lantern Bright in the dark She sees his shadow Turn from its mark Who calls in her voice Answers in his Says there’s no danger Knows that there is Who is remembered Who is remembered Like a kiss