He Spoke To Maria

I

All my worlds have collided here.

Any house on every street, the light it gives up at each house

of each season, I’ve memorized.

I can foresee which shortcut home will disappoint

and which will bring me to a state of grace.

Around this or that corner I meet myself,

carrying schoolbooks or a briefcase,

scolding my children or enfolding a lover,

drunk on Power Street or stoned on Angell,

soberly boarding the downtown bus.

Pregnant, loveless, giddy, pensive,

twelve years ago, last week, at this moment.

I left my father’s house at seventeen,

fearless of heights and rapacious crowds.

But here I brought it off without a net.

And that tightrope allegiance has since grown unbridled:

daughterly, ferocious, second nature.

Each city block, each brick and cobble,

so cushioned with memory and meaning,

I trust I can safely lay down my aching head

just about anywhere.

II

all my worlds have collided here

terminate our account as of

and that tightrope allegiance has since grown unbridled

terminate service he spoke to Maria

fearless of heights and rapacious crowds

she assured him that service

soberly boarding the downtown bus

expect to receive a written

carrying schoolbooks or a briefcase

refuse to fulfill this obligation

I can foresee which shortcut home will disappoint

twice we have asked you to shut off the

pregnant  loveless  giddy  pensive

be responsible for your repeated failure

daughterly  ferocious  second nature

a bill dated August 9

I left my father’s house at seventeen

dear Sir or Madam

will bring me to a state of grace

Maria’s assurance that a check

each city block each brick and cobble

encourage her to bring the matter before

scolding my children or enfolding a lover

sincerely yours

drunk of Power Street or stoned on Angell

the Public Utilities Commission

twelve years ago   last week   at this moment

close the account

but here I brought it off without a net

you did not comply

so cushioned with memory and meaning

requesting that you terminate service

I trust I can safely lay down my aching head

to follow this simple instruction