Lens

You are identical with a wooden match
An ace of spades has fallen from the pack

onto a surface both curved and flat
while visitors pass in the heat outside

unaware of the players of cards
faded figures who are photographs

Does speech break on their lips
at the outside corner of either eye

Do they know the edge where the body ends
Did we listen to part song through a lens


From THE PROMISES OF GLASS (New Directions, 2000)