the poppies are selling moonlight on the street
as Hannibal is marching hares
through the Needle. again.
and again

no one laughing.

simply.  no one.


II

in the real winter where the wind bites
and the snow corrodes '
we stick a pin in the blizzard.
we set jewels in the crowning achievement
of our disaster.


III

paint black our lanterns