Odysseus Today

Odysseus Today

Odysseus Today

The scan reveals so little
the bones of a lifetime
laid out
for unreliable examination
senses dulled
deliberately
the glass now empty and sticky
the eyes half open
memories float by
suffusing this evening
with a veracity of sorts
even in their blatant
imaginings

so you had a design
it was meant
not to be
a plan to leave before
you arrived, a convincing
exit
a red stick figure always running 

but then you entered
this labyrinth
this profusion of late jasmine
this balmy night of eternal summer 

clouds float yellow against the black moon 

and you are slowly becalmed
losing your pre-determined way 

stay, whisper the trees
stay.