Random Sampling

1973

Another happy, empty night.

My world consists of one-fourth of a table

    in the evening hour universe of Odette’s

A multi-mixture of dinner people,

    bar people

        on the make people,

            lonely people –

while Jack and the rest play

    cheek-to-cheek –

unaware of the appropriateness of the symbolism

    rut-to-rut.

I proclaim a universal madness

Seen only through the eyes

And my own gentle insanity.

1978

Years pass quickly.

Twenty five years later I return

    to recapture my past –

Provide a reality test for memories.

Everything has changed.

    Only the ghosts of poets past remain.

Music is still played on the piano,

But Jack jumped over the candle stick

    and only empty nights remain the same.

I walk out the front door.

The sound of it closing

Reminds me of all the other doors

    that I have closed.

The only real insanity is the passing of time.