HERE, NOT HERE, SKY REACH

SKY REACH

            for R.J.

Already a voice

from another room

talking off the page.

You were word booked,

already inaccessible

and I was just back

from war in Asia

listening for what

sounded like music.

You're here

not here, like Catullus

in love,

Coltrane

with the horn

in his mouth.

Come by to visit

knocking on the door

3 am, Kierkegaard

showing me

eagle claw

around your neck

midnight sundance

rib cuts

Asking around

any who might remember

something, anything,

say

you can't be reached

*

Fore word, after word

looking back to feel it going on going

jazz riff

Stepping ahead to feel, then king down came, solitary move.

Jim Bodeen

12 July 2020