IMPROMPTU THURSDAY-NIGHT RITUAL (for jpb)

i'll trace a bone-dry circle in this sky
and light a smoke, invoking (inter alia)
old agni, thanatos and jove, then i
will ask you to my little saturnalia...

NOTE TO SELF (heri, hodie et cras)

last-borne flotsam on the evening's tide,
what sly nigerian or cardboard greek
will speak the silvered word which will provide
the crass tomorrow you so shun, yet seek?

LATE QUATRAIN FOR ZOE

while sleeps the safe world, he who taunts the fates,
his conscience and the gods walks soft among
the moon-night's deep-delved evils, and equates
each moment with a new song to be sung.