Put up the tent at the top
of a mountain, to be praised
by crickets, countless
in the late summer twilight.
Grow trees to block the noise
of crowded highways
and half-eaten truck stops.
Build the fire tall enough
that it spouts thunderclouds
and stars.
Surround it with granite
and limestone seats;
we値l sit on pine needle
cushions and eat blackened marshmallow
too close to the flames.
Tell me the story of a man
with molding skin, burnt out
eyes, and teeth that split
his noseless face so far
he can chew his own earlobes.
Give him arms to his knees
and fingers that click when they curl.
We値l laugh at him in the firelight,
under the orange stars
and whispering trees.
We値l call out to him,
challenge him to climb our mountain.
When he doesn稚 appear,
we値l call him names.
Hold me in the sleeping bag
when the fire smoulders, and
I can稚 see your face.
He値l come then; the windy branches
will be his breath; the racoons
will make his footsteps.
Together, we値l shiver ourselves to sleep.
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