Red Ribbon

(January 2004)

Reaching for
     a ribbon of red
hung
     at the edge of the earth;
touched
     by the fringes of the mind—

circumnavigation…
     now to the east,
          then to the west.

Lapsing into
     improbable daydreams
feared
     like a nightmare,
enjoyed
     like a fantasy;

a lasting moment
     of tomorrow
          from yesterday.

Clinging to
     rose-coloured vapors
held
     by sweaty fingertips
kept
     at arms length—

perspective
     seen farsighted
          from nearsighted eyes.

Looking at
     a heartfelt
want
     for an ethereal prize
hung
     on a deflated chest;

a distant illusion
     of tinted emptiness
          that fills the horizon.

Reaching for
     a red ribbon
hung
     at the edge,
touched
     by the mind.