A Golden Woman In A Silver Mirror

Suppose this was the root of everything.
Suppose it turned out to be or that
it touched
An image that was mistress of the world.


For example: Au Chateau. Un Salon. A glass
The sun steps into, regards and finds itself;

Or: Gawks of hay . . . Augusta Moon, before

An attic glass, hums of the old Lutheran bells
At home; or: In the woods, belle Belle alone

Rattles with fear in unreflecting leaves.

Abba, dark death is the breaking of a glass.
The dazzled flakes and splinters disappear.
The seal is as relaxed as dirt, perdu.

But the images, disembodied, are not broken.
They have, or they may have, their glittering crown,
Sound-soothing pearl and omni-diamond,


Of the most beautiful, the most beautiful maid
And mother. How long have you lived and looked,
Ababba, expecting this king's queen to appear?