When Your Eyes Narrowed or 
The Triumph of the Short Syllable

At crucial moments, you argued, 
syllables are scarce,
especially the ones I dubbed consequential
(“Long and pompous,” you said.
“Like a wedding dress”, I replied).
Your claim came at a moment 
when I was forced to agree.

Such moments are useful clearings
in which to applaud abbreviated voice.
A coloratura worth her salt
can keep a short syllable 
airborne for a long time.
With you, it’s only play,
but your gasp of the notes is – well . . . ah!

No two are the same
because they are plundered 
with different diets
of caress and distraction.
I relish each simple variant,
the brunette-embellished, white-knuckled,
most raw moan, moan, moan.

No two are the same
because they cannot be smitten
by pompous occultations
or thick-claused sentences.
Whispered, they are diction’s ideal,
self-resolving arguments
animal perfect in their finality.

for Ann 
14 February 2001