Martin Booth
seven commands, for the early nights of autumn.
for roy lewis
1. go outside
over the hazels
left of the chimney
a sharp star coruscates
ignore its pitchy surround:
this stygian light
is what remains
of Cimmerius
a lustred bud
older than the cyme of stone
2. lift your hand
place your rigid index finger
on the lower thorn of light
beckon:
nothing happens
no truth can be drawn
so easily
3. bear its signature into the house
watch Andromeda
until the light is a scar
at the back of the brain
going indoors
to the private night
it will travel before you
to the bedroom
4. upon losing your anger
think
how small that burst of blood
beside
the burst of worlds
5. pointing:
can you not feel it?
it is the star
that appears blue
before the eye turns leftward
you'll know it
as soon as you see it
for it has the touch of the angelus
6. blink
the light is gone!
a single eye
can put out all creation
the whole sky is extinguished
by one eye!
7. on waking
draw the curtains
and believe
for the trees still hold leaves
birdsong is rising
it is morning
would you prefer pharos
to the commonplace
Page(s) 172-174
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