A Fox Hunt

Do you remember that summer,
that summer we met?
We were young together, so young.
All was still at the centre,
the hub of all motion,
and around us all things wheeled.

You sang to the cello's strain,
there in the dark under earth.
(Was it fate?)
Did you sense the tender seed you planted,
in me to germinate?

The blackbird soars to the azure-hued height
while the red fox sniffs at the dirt.
But if that sly fox plays her cards just right
she'll eat that dumb bird for dessert.

We sat under that tree,
we all sat by the tree with the rocks.
We spoke of cannibals
and marbled meats.
You turned to me once, spoke kindly,
but your eyes were hungry.
And I was afraid.

Your hair was short, your clothes were dark,
your eyes were tongues of flame.
I was a timid boy.
Did you relish how you frightened me?
We were young together (so young!),
and around us all things wheeled.

The blackbird soars to the azure-hued height
while the red fox sniffs at the dirt.
But if that sly fox plays her cards just right
she'll eat that dumb bird for dessert.

Do you remember that autumn,
years later, years past,
in a new town, but we
just the same?
Strayed far from the centre,
the hub of all motion,
yet around us all things wheeled.

You were older and I was older,
but still we could call ourselves young.
We drank, with friends,
and toasted to memory.
But though your thirst was quenched,
I knew what was in your eyes.

The blackbird soars to the azure-hued height
while the red fox sniffs at the dirt.
But if that sly fox plays her cards just right
she'll eat that dumb bird for dessert.

And on the balcony we met the cold night,
and drew close.
"My head is on your lap," you said,
and it was.

And when we kissed, I did not hold back.
(For once)
Your lips were the earth,
your eyes distant suns.
I was lost in your space,
and around us all things wheeled.

The blackbird soars to the azure-hued height
while the red fox sniffs at the dirt.
But if that sly fox plays her cards just right
she'll eat that dumb bird for dessert.

Do you remember that night,
the night when I learned
the secret you still might not know?
You turned off the lights,
and it was dark.
Drawn near to the centre,
the hub of all motion,
here around us all things wheeled.

I kissed your lips
and your mouth.
You drew me in,
led by the hand.
How characteristic of you.

The blackbird soars to the azure-hued height
while the red fox sniffs at the dirt.
But if that sly fox plays her cards just right
she'll eat that dumb bird for dessert.

I wonder where the warrior went,
and the glory of ages past,
swords and the taste of blood.
Where will you find it, conqueror?
Would you weep like Alexander?
Would you taste that sweet revenge?
Would you be great?
Would you like to hear a secret?

A force of nature
cannot be contained.
The drift of history
tends towards its centre.
Would you like to hear a secret?
Around it, all things wheel.

The blackbird soars to the azure-hued height
while the red fox sniffs at the dirt.
But if that sly fox plays her cards just right
she'll eat that dumb bird for dessert.

Caw!

Caw!

Caw!