4609. APPROACH THE ASSUMPTION

APPROACH THE ASSUMPTION

The long fence, the horses ride it wildly, staggering

forth, steeds on a run.  Like a low graveyard, the old

meanings of stone are cluttered. The horses prance

on, not out of step with anything but their time.

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A flag cannot fly if there's not a pole to extend it.

Approach the assumption, see what you get : like

flying spittle, the horses mouths broadcast their own

stern attention. The assumption is : I laze in the grass.

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Wherever that might be : approaching again the assumption -

we assume that all things are conscious of themselves?

In full knowledge of what they do, on their own terms.

Sometimes, however, it seems there is too much silence.

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I am dreaming, in another life, it seems, of Verdi's Nabucco.

In the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, the Israelites pray

for help against Nabucco (Nebuchadnezzar), King of Babylon.

His forces have attacked them and are vandalizing the city.

Zaccaria, their high priest, enters with Nabucco’s daughter,

Fenena, whom the Hebrews hold hostage. He reassures his

people that the Lord will not forsake them.  I must approach

here again that assumption, and the grand chorus of the

Hebrew slaves. Oh, I do love that sound. I am moved.

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Approach the assumption, then, with me  -  everything

that exists is ephemeral and disappears, and  -  somewhere,

over the rainbow, way up high  - there's a land I can go to,

awake in a lullaby. And, if there's not a pole, a flag cannot fly.