From “Mankindness”

1

Because he, because she,
in so far as
she (in so far as he) exists

is on the way
to battle.

Not what is your name,
but what
the battle?

2

“Each one of us has come
here and changed” —

is the battle. Born
a loved one,
borne a loved one.

3

My father fought in this war, thus I can speak of it.
My mother fought in this, thus I can speak.
My friends, my lovers have fought, have worn
(like the tree) their several directions at once. And I,

in so far as I
can say “I”

have fought to be related to these —
we strive and strain
but also try to ripen the entity
of the Other.

4
We kiss on lips, where the tenses attach.

We enter the conundrum
of another’ s becoming.

We look for someone who can raise us
up again to feet, or near to standing.

We tend in our terrors to forget (we
do not store them) felicities.

I try each day to stay near beings,
mornings when I am most
mild. And may I nothing harm,
in case it is them.