Late Poem

A Reply To Sonnet 65

I know it’s been noted before how nothing--
not metal, not stone, not even the seas--
hold their own against this globe’s contract with time.

And I know the poet’s love has come and gone
for centuries, only to now shine for
you and me. You the muse, I the lover
who delights in and burns for who you are;
me the big spender of black ink
and unknown pages.

And I know it’s been noted before
that poetry may be nothing but
a facet of adolescence,
nothing but words
next to none care to know.

But I defy that, I forswear it; I renounce it all
and will bring it to its knees with me,
while holding close that
which still lives,
for you.