Collected Poems of John Holmes
Holmes, John A., Jr.
2002
A thing to say
A thing to say
I ran out into May midnight From too much lights and talk, And leaned in dark car windows Lined between street and walk. Hey, you! Are you happy?" That was the thing to say, Fireworks-loud and spangled. Hey! Are you happy? hey!" They laughed for me and moonlight, And I for them in the cars. My shadow leaped the lamp-poles To hand them moon and stars. The sick fear and secret I could not hide indoors, I howled to the May night-time, And blest them with encores. In the seventh there was no one, But I knew what I knew, And yelled my whirling question. They were happy, too. World that would not wither Of the salt curse I tried, In love and young and drunken Because my love had lied, Is round and goes around me This impossible year Of May midnights later, And I am hardy here. | |