Negations

I

Someone could win this argument
if it were an argument
with or without emotional appeal

Survive these torrents
reattribute, refocus
recover and not retrace

Push themselves up
and rest like a plank
extending infinitely in all directions


II

Still
you would ask

Does she cleave to me
(restfully)
because of my court sense
and disarming smile . . .
or some ancient tale?

As if you couldn’t see
the palimpsest

As if you couldn’t read
the timeless text