Roadside Stand

A roadside stand

Was selling clouds like ears of corn--

You could shake out real angels

Or deliver yourself into one like post.

"Tell me your deepest desire," a voice said.

I surprised myself by answering, "I want to be a barn cat.

I would have startling eyes, good sharp claws and wild desires,

And yet,

I would be as beautiful as lazy and belong to no one."

When the stand shut down,

Clouds turning purple in the west,

I switched my tail and asked the angels,

"Is there no one who could love me?

Why must I always be alone?"

Departing, they replied,

"Little barn cat,

You are loved by open spaces and the night;

That is sufficient unto thee."

My deepest desire gained,

I waited for morning and the chance it would bring

To exercise my passionate unreasoning instinct

To kill anything with wings.

_____