The moon, that sad man,Comes through tears and protestations,That sad man.
His almond eyes heavyIn shadowy backyard half-lightStay awake.
Disenchanted starsStand still while mourning dovesStay awake.
I sleep, wake, toss,I sleep, wake from screaming,Stay awake.
The sad man sighs downGrasping heartbeams and resisting arrest,That sad man.
#12 of 30 in April. Grace challenged the Real Toads to be inspired by the poetry of Wallace Stevens, someone whose poetry has long been an inspiration to me. This poem is something of a response to his poem The Brave Man. Not long ago I wrote this one: Ways of Looking at the Snow Moon