Greatest Desire, The

Instead of singing Hallelujah, a curtain fluttering from an open window. Instead of saying Amen, a door or a shutter closing. Instead of the Vision of the End of Days the flapping of banners on an empty street after the holiday. Reflections slowly take over the house, whatever glimmers in mirror and wineglass. I saw broken glass flashing in the sun in the Judean desert, celebrating a wedding without bride or bridegroom, a pure celebration. I saw a big beautiful parade going by in the street, I saw policemen standing between the spectators and the parade, their faces toward those who were watching, their backs to whatever was passing by with fanfare and joy and flags. Maybe to live like that. But the greatest desire of all is to be in the dream of another person. To feel a slight pull, like reins tugging. To feel a heavy pull, like chains.

Copyright World Poetry, Incorporated Sep/Oct 1996
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