10/21/2003

Everyone
is here
at the ball
in costume
some
wearing wigs
others
with monkeys
or goats
dressed
in a dream
or large overcoat
dancing circles
across the floor
by themselves
or with partners
each celebrating
someone in whom
they have taken
refuge.
When the party
is over
all must return to
from whence they came
with none the wiser
about where
they have been
and what they did
disguised as someone
made up in
the nick of time
who could
keep a secret.