send a letter
five thousand miles
through space
and with it
there goes my heart
other writing
toward my tomorrows
here
as the future
plays forward
in time
and time is something
that doesn’t stand still
there is no delaying
inevitable change
as I limp forward
toward my tomorrows
this night in Moda
pide and wine
a guitar a singer
dark eyes lingering
on my mind
there’ll be no sleep
this night
in Moda
worth remembering: other people’s expectations
you should never live
for other people’s expectations
yours are hard enough
peaceful sleep
he glides off
into a peaceful sleep
that only those
long accustomed
to a way of life
beyond their control
achieve
the things I remember
I would speak to you
my love
of the things I remember
but my heart is so heavy
there is the taste of sorrow
in my mouth
outside my window: Friday night in Moda
snatches of conversation
a dog barks
motorcycles zip by
a horn beeps
a woman’s laugh
someone sings
a Black Sea song
life passing by
outside my window
my wine glass full
and the cat
lying on the rug
closes his eyes
in limbo: with a nod to my old friend Li Shang-yin
a breeze blows
the curtains
Emmylou sings
of walking
a thousand miles
my mind drifts
a tea cup
a smile
a laugh
a heart
in limbo
on this side
of the world
the oceanliner: for Chuck Thegze with a nod to Carl Maida
we are on
an oceanliner
called culture
we think
we are
in control
of the direction
but it goes
straight
regardless
of where
we intend
to go
it defines
everything
about us
and we
like humble
passengers
are just along
for the ride
for years
to do or
not to do
the questions
she he will ask
they we will ask
follow the heart
or the mind
the impact
felt on all
for years
and years
to come
Leonard Durso 