I used to be a farmer of the night,
planting stars & dark moons in galaxy
furrows; then, I was a rider of light,
its bright fiery foam washing over me.
Now I am autumn.
And I was the sea.
I have watched the rocks breaking in the waves,
heard the day sleeping by the quiet lea;
and the sailors lost in the fog, unsaved,
came to me.
I've been a madman who raves
at eclipsed suns & extinguished hours;
and the pierce-palmed carpenter with his lathe
I saw, a man who knew not his powers.
Now I am autumn, & harvest the day;
my soul is smoke & leaves, flying away.
20.November.1978
