AVANT SOUL

If I were to possess a thousand mansions
Never could I approach the majesty
	of this day 
	which steals my breath from lungs like wreaths 
	of fragrant pine to stretch to towering peaks 
	and blot the dogged sun which shines

Were I to inhabit ten-thousand motherloads 
	of caves and dine supine 
	on tasty crabcakes & chalices of ruby wine
	and by my anointed feet, 
	   own gems of amethyst
		  emeralds
			coins silver and gold

I could never approach 
    such transparent greatness of these hours
	   strewn through grasping fingers 
		 which break the light 
		     and birth each day's amazed & kingly throne

Were I to somehow impart to humankind
The wealth that hides between each moment

To see eternal breadth < obvious & transparent >
	lodged in crevices betwixt the hurried place,

I'd bequeath to halls 
	and palaces of belonging

To banish false desire, 
	to help apply balms 
	     of myrrh & aloe 
		    to seal tight wounds 
			   of the human race

		In these cracks between wisdom & folly
		&  all  shrill  strivings  lacking  sight

		I'd kiss lips of stolen moments 
			  you've left fallow
				   & somehow recover your resolve
				       to make it right

If I had wisdom beyond this body
	 of knowledge

		& could toss it to meadows & gales,
		or send it as an avalanche upon nations
To all the bloodied halls of congress 
	& the denizens of hell

Then even heaven would know 
	of your plight

And could supplant you 
	with some small courage 
	
	to depart with peace

		& to say

	     Farewell
	       ****