MORNING ECSTASY

The morning wind.  O mystery!
Look at the lame duck.
Follow its quacking in the horizon.
What is this longing that I feel?
I stretch out my fingers to
meet the sky--I'm drunk with
the beauty of the mountains.
My grief, I open it like a rose.
O what longing lies concealed
Inside these petals!
Where do I come from, O groovy
city with your lovelorn mailmen?
Will my mail never arrive?
The cherry orchards are buzzing
with bees delicate in their
flight.
Kiss these lips, O darling,
like the skin of a ripe peach.
Juicy and sweet.
Like hungry lovers we embrace
the moon.  Do you wonder what
Jesus said when he sat on this
hill?  Do not question the
miracle.  Taste the strawberries
with whipped cream.
Like this.  Like forever.  Like
it never began. Like it never
occurred.  There are billions
and billions of stars in the
sky, and you still keep asking
why.  My soul is drunk.  What
do I know of this willow tree,
bent to greet my whimsical
ways?  Enjoy the presence. Come
hither, my child.  In these
places where the roots run
deep.  Where they play New
Age music and middle-aged
professors run rampant and
wild.  It's a circus.  It's
a wonderful world full of
wonderful things, full of
sugar and spice.  Have an
after meal mint. Life is a box
of chocolates. Like this.
Kiss me and enjoy the ride.
This white middle-class
cruise on the ocean.
All the kids ride bicycles
'round and 'round.
A great circle.  A great day.
Enjoy the ecstasy.  Enjoy
the moment.  Enjoy this
big cigar.  This big Cuban
cigar.  Very expensive and
fragrant like a woman.
Be gentle with her. Follow
the way of the lame duck.
Quack-quack!  Quack-quack!
Get your money back.
And the middle-aged professors
and teenage girls with
beautiful curls and the breasts
and the tests--all testify
to the mystery that is love.
Yes, there are many charlatans
with sappy poems. Let's go!
If you follow, it doesn't matter.
If you don't, you might be
better off.

                                June 26, 1995
                             --Alexander Shaumyan