(After Tennessee Williams)

Evening light is shining through The rain, and is not going away. Don’t get up. You don’t have to Leave if you wish to, with me, stay.

I give you few fine feathers in a jar (To brush off old pain from your hair) And dandelions, those fortunetellers Of roads, their heads nodding in the air.

I lay my head on the table as you pour tea, And watch a starling move on your arm. “Dark birthmark, what is your secret?” I ask, touching skin, familiar and warm.

A Whip-poor-will seems to cry “O, Sadness Has no end, happiness does.” So shrill A song for so pleasant a time, when even My erratic heart, always desirous, is still.

How soon ends another day! For now stay. Forever stay!