Explanation

I am less here than others. Practicing
the art of poise upon a slender ledge
that drops down days, resolving not to sing
a favorite nocturne, pruning back the edge
of dreams--all these are such consuming tasks.
And morning means that I must nurse a flame
so I can study what the daylight asks,

and research why

and memorize

my name.

--Jean Lenski

A Little Poem

We say that some are mad. In fact
if we have all the words and we
make madness mean the way they act
then they as all of us can see

are surely mad. And then again
if they have all the words and call
madness something else, well then--
well then, they are not mad at all.

--Miller Williams