621 and 622

There at the grand resort that never was,

but representative of all that could,

I saw you once again–but not–because

you looked at me as only distance could.

You saw in that Eden-like place my gaze

just as you could remember it. And when

the fear of what was not broke up my daze

and woke me, I knew you were gone again.

For but a moment, seven years ago

we were. And lush warm water filled the air.

I smiled for a moment, even though

the sword would strike me if I stayed back there.

And finally my mind resumed its place—

and tears covered my spirit and my face.

~~~

Laying amidst the unwashed dishes, I,

the most unwashed of all these vessels, pray

that I not think I belong where I lie,

that I not think this is where I must stay.

Why cast the soap and steel wool over me

and these, my brethren dishes, refuse-stained?

We once were clean, and all who ate were we

alone. None dined but us, and none remained.

How selfish of us now to think that, should

we clean up like we once had been before,

some other patron other than us would

partake from off our face and ask for more?

I ask that I not think that way, tho sound

the logic while I lay here, still unfound.