Urban pastoral

Often I am permitted to return to a meadow

as if it were a given property of the mind

that certain bounds hold against chaos,

                                       - Robert Duncan

concrete     pellitory    crack.     ONE  HAND  CAN

red      admiral      butterfly.  SNAP   RAZOR   WIRE 

dead   murres  and  gulls.   I'VE   BEEN  TRAINED 

egret        neck        asphalt.   BY   EXPERTS   WHO   

sparrow     house         finch.    COVER   THEIR   FACES

cigarette    butt      toad.     CLIMB   TALL   FENCES

August        creek       for   SWING  ROOF  TO  ROOF.

tag          spray          every-    RACCOON  CAN

body's     for       cash       SLIDE UNDER 

for     petroleum      oil.    SECURITY BARS

engines      for       whine     NO  ALARMS   SOUND

not        puffin       nest   COYOTE  HUNTS

rock        crevice      lament.   YOUR   CAT

"It's       not        dis-    AND  QUAIL

continued    just    out".  COMES   BACK.