CASPER
THE FRIENDLY GHOST
Splotchy, sudden rashers of rain
swipe all afternoon the concrete terrain
of the amphitheater; then fickle eruptions
of sun sparkle the dripping hustings,
the green tiltyard of wilting umbrellas.
Summer's sprawl encroaches, threatening
to unedge even what would always,
like a heroine in James, delay—not say—
withdraw—exactly as every border now vaults,
rampant, its brickwork strictures, shawls
of luxuriant dominant mold, smoke & pear
bingeing on air, bidding love this way, without fear.
swipe all afternoon the concrete terrain
of the amphitheater; then fickle eruptions
of sun sparkle the dripping hustings,
the green tiltyard of wilting umbrellas.
Summer's sprawl encroaches, threatening
to unedge even what would always,
like a heroine in James, delay—not say—
withdraw—exactly as every border now vaults,
rampant, its brickwork strictures, shawls
of luxuriant dominant mold, smoke & pear
bingeing on air, bidding love this way, without fear.