Monets Waterlilies

Today as the news from Selma and Saigonpoisons the air like fallout,

I come again to seethe serene, great picture that I love.

Here space and time exist in lightthe eye like the eye of faith believes.

The seen, the knowndissolve in iridescence, becomeillusive flesh of lightthat was not, was, forever is.

O light beheld as through refracting tears.

Here is the aura of that worldeach of us has lost.

Here is the shadow of its joy.