North

this dry, dappled light
obscures some features,
exalts the rest.

face blurred by a struck match,
a james dean look-a-like,
makes a long shadow in the prairie grass

his flatness a leaf
on the edge
of the pig pen and trailer

from an attic trunk —
smells of camphor, vanilla
ribbon tied letters, an Army hat;
dreams that outlast the dreamer.

come, set your camera down
step into the wind-blown scents,
lie on the grass like a leaf
shadowless

be tiny and haughty
with rolled up fists and wrappers
the hole in your pocket
provokes the ant