DO NOT FOLLOW IN THE FOOTSTEPS
Do not follow in the footsteps of the master
master--
His garden is no humble pasture.
It is a place of wild magic, magic
or
it is laid barren.
Do not venture into that garden, garden
its river has a bitter flavor
and its doors are guarded.
Do not go over the garden hedge
to find a woman or a monster--
Heaven is everywhere under the sun
and hell is a road unguarded.
Do not go into the rabbit-hole
beneath the drinking moon
the tunnels there are fabulous
but there's an end to every one.
Do not go lightly into the neighbor's yard,
and if there's no light, its better to withhold.
Do not follow the sheep that
stray from every fold:
They're looking for a better cliff
to plunge, and leave this world.
Do not take heart of words that are held
in shame
When the day is done a name is no foul thing.
Across the frozen pond you may
have found another house
Let's say you flew and didn't fall,
or found a clever way around.
Even if you found a spouse
even if you found a happier home
would they welcome a wanderer
from the dark?
--April 23, 2006
poetry 2005-2006
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