In the Rain

Did I not once revel in a challenge?

Or sleep the night away unbothered

By grazing cattle or lovers’ piping

Hot water before it hits the leaves

Did I not once invite golden eggs

Into my bedroom and sing to death

Riding gallant his mare in the hills?

Or greet life as smoke in the wind

Did I not carry my unflinching youth

On high wings pointed toward night?

Or craft from falling rain a new abode

Tied to metal stakes in the knowing soil

Am I not the wide-eyed owl from before?

Do I know anything better than the fact

That my love is elsewhere and I, here.