History

History
Locke/Geiger

On the banks of the Vlatava
flowing out of Prague
ships coming in, ships coming out
   
    brought people down its banks
    all those voices bobbing up and on by
    sediments, glass, metal,
    other forms of growth too sick to think about.
    Swaying on the river bed.

On the banks of the Vlatava
dancing to Saint-Saëns, who
plays a dance-tune 
Zig, zig, zig, on his violin.

Above in the sun (On the banks of the Vlatava)
people scurry back and forth
taking the same shots from this end and the other
   
    forward and behind pictures
    to last a lifetime pictures
    and pictures of people with cameras raised
    in silence or laughing, pictures.

But not like the silence ON THE BANKS OF THE VLATAVA
the night before, natural silence
crossing the Charles Bridge
opposite this bank
after the laughing and rollicking and
living like we’ll never die.

Morning Song

In the morning when light is once again new
another strange night of dreaming is over
black and white, Captain of a mutinous crew
only a single frame I remember.

Leading a ship over mountains in Mallorca
instead of the sea
faces I had known all my life
rising up against me
what can it mean, will it come to be
in future tomorrows
when mornings aren't as bright
as the sight of
love's old smile?

I can't say I care much
alone on this island like the Mars rover
leader of none, these high seas are rocks now
and I'm just glad that the night is over.