The Distance in California by CLARK COOLIDGE

Do you see things then

do you see the clock

a riddled board with

butterfly lift points

the clicking in of motors

bring waters and the blade

Over the pool there is nothing

for millions of miles but

over beyond the house there is

a sun a bit closer

I have chosen the mouser

I have chosen the one with

the occasional voice

about as long as Egypt

and about as possible

From “Sound As Thought, Poems 1982-1984” (Sun & Moon Press: $11.95 paper). Coolidge, a jazz drummer in his early years, has published many collections of poetry since the mid-1960s. copyright 1990 by Clark Coolidge. Reprinted with permission.