stooped, low

by a consciousness

not yet quite right

these vivid dreams

so real, so intense

shadow me in sleep…

the invitation stood

and you accepted

just come here

to listen to the words

of others

read out loud…

we need to give those invited

this word gift

so much to hear from so many!

on an overlook, outside deck

of paved stones

you pondered the view

as you followed me down

a path…

too many have shown up here

accepting the invite

and now, there are too many

and i’m left, unprepared, i told you

i’m worried about the absence

of food and drink to sustain those

in attendance…

but here, look at this view, old poet!

i walked you to

the crest above sausalito

where the City shines

over your shoulder

leaving any visionary

breathless

and sold

and you, astounded by the view

mentioned how you always wondered

what leaving LA might have brought you

but your fear of viruses

kept you chained there in the south

til death instead…

i reminded myself to give you the

short course in transmission

and as we walked back

you made me promise

that i would read  your work

so you wouldn’t have to