the distance

next time--

when we live again

for the next time

this trouble

will have subsided

don't wonder

that I will lose you

in all the tumult of souls

--my friend

when we live again

this near and near

impenetrable barrier

between us

will have fallen away

I expect to be all hand

--and won't we hold

each other

with all ourselves

and drag each other

forward--into

the time again?

my friend--

for now we walk

hands empty

so let the distance

make us dextrous

and difficulty

make us strong

--and don't despair

the distance--this one

is for kicks, this one

is for broke, for kicking

your heels, hands in your

pockets, this one

is for grinning out at all

the whole world, who have nothing

have lost nothing, and the time

comes--will come, for sharing

the glint between us, and the

world left starving