8/10/2003

He told me about
his composition
for
an 80 voice men's choir
singing all the parts
to himself
before
putting them in place
the work
now lost
and
of having no illusions
about
being in control
of anything
other than
keeping his truck
on the right side
of the road
which
put me at ease
during my meeting
that afternoon
with
an African woman
who
massaged my shoulders
thumbed my palms
and told me
I was beginning
again
my lifeline
trail blazing
down and around
my hand
80
90
100 years old perhaps
a long safari ahead.
I need to take
good care of myself
she said
kindly
recalling her early life
at the foot of
Kilimanjaro
which
you are not allowed
to climb
without first
giving a dollar
to the person
at the gate
behind her home
she said
laughing
and
I swore that
I would gladly
pay up.