On Visiting:  Seeing Myself Out

Do I outlast my welcome? you?

    with knocking at the door:

wild beating at the threshold

    where cordial was, before.

Etiquette, at doorstep:

    half seeking leave to stay,

half fleeing, light of footstep,

    and must be on my way.

Entreat me not to beg you:

    "More soon" ..."insist" -- polite!

"Must you?" ... "Just perch!" -- while unsaid

    speeches freight the flight.

And so we needn't linger

    long in any room,

the high rites of civility

    interrupt, late noon.

The blaze, burnt sky, departure:

    the blast, the glory be --

all miracle one afternoon,

    the hour I come to tea.