From “Mankindness”

1

Because he, because she,

in so far as

she (in so far as he) exists

is on the way

to battle.

Not what is your name,

but what

the battle?

2

“Each one of us has come

here and changed” —

is the battle. Born

a loved one,

borne a loved one.

3

My father fought in this war, thus I can speak of it.

My mother fought in this, thus I can speak.

My friends, my lovers have fought, have worn

(like the tree) their several directions at once. And I,

in so far as I

               can say “I”

have fought to be related to these —

we strive and strain

but also try to ripen the entity

of the Other.

We kiss on lips, where the tenses attach.

We enter the conundrum

of another’s becoming.

We look for someone who can raise us

up again to feet, or near to standing.

We tend in our terrors to forget (we

do not store them) felicities.

I try each day to stay near beings,

mornings when I am most

mild. And may I nothing harm,

in case it is them.