Double Rainbow

By James Galvin

Well aren't you the harsh necessity,

As in what fear is for?

It was the summer of

You should have been there,

Though the last thing I want

Anywhere near me is you.

Louche and thaumaturgic,

You made my faith

My foolishness—

Easy as lying to trees.

Essence of the inessential

Is what you are, double rainbow,

Extrinsic as blood is to stars,

An empire not of death,

But inspired by death,

Farrago of arid precepts,

A few cheap ideas about hope,

The eschaton, alterity,

All featuring you.

What are the chances?

Slim to none.

But listen here, my fraud, my forger,

I could close my eyes at any time.

All I have to do is close my eyes.

Copyright Credit: James Galvin, "Double Rainbow" from X Poems by James Galvin. Copyright © 2003 by James Galvin. Reprinted by permission of Copper Canyon Press.

Source: X poems (Copper Canyon Press, 2003)