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Rendezvous With A Harp

It was too big to take on the subway

so she came to it every day

that winter in the room

where it waited on one foot,

sly seabird.

She sat down and opened her hands,

parted the wings one by one

till it flew ahead of her fingers

singing

the lame foot skidding on gold.

The sun turned its back on the glass

and paled as she sat

obstinate

green-eyed

her foot on its foot

pumping.

The fire died.

Snow hissing at the window.

Above her head a baroque hailstorm

failed in 4/4 time. She sang,

unable to hold the bright hinge

to her heart.

Lame savior she sang.

It bowed as she left

and sat, chastened by scales,

wondering.

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