“Keeping Your Promises” by Barry Graham

To Robert Frost

were you forced to walk lonely and naked
through the same fields in which you invented
your distinct sense of timelessness your vast knowledge
of all things fertile and humane

did you grow tired of that place
no the fog never lifted
things became too hazy for you
to assess and assume

and reassess and reassume
henry miller said that over elaboration
was a sign of genius
he said the same thing of frequent urination
so what does it all really mean

nothing
so why did I say it you tell me
it persisted and you slept soundly
not by choice the magic was gone

(Barry Graham is a simple man who writes about simple things, very simply. Look for him in Hobart, Pindedlyboz, Dicey Brown, Thieves Jargon, Storyglossia, Monkeybicycle, and Found.)