I took a nap with Whitman
all sinew & democracy
he leaves me in grass
& roots me in soil
which only slightly slows the soaring
the way you ease into a country curve
before speeding out onto open vistas
(breath)
With his grizzled lips & schoolgirl heart
he slays me slays me slays me daily
slays me daily
Whitman the Hitman
slays me daily
in everyday songs aimlessly whistled
in labor or love or no reason at all
Whitman the Hitman slays me
with muscular & musical word & intent
with new world naiveté
in a pre-cynical way
with a sigh & a secret & half laugh half sob
