THIRD DREAM OF ROBERT IN AS MANY MONTHS

(For Robert Bly)

Two chairs, Robert sits in one.
Laughing boisterously, he says,
"It is fitting that
There should be an empty chair
Beside me".

Together we eat manna
Dipped in thick, dark maple syrup,
Seraphim flying like sparks
Off the tips of his wild eyebrows.

I wonder aloud -
"What am I to do
with these visitations?"
And then it is clear...
I place them on my tongue
Like so many ancient hosts.

He climbs onto the rug,
Suddenly mischievous,
And makes his voice
Strange and creaky,
"I am the kooky boy on the floor
Watching the eternal Witness
Of the artists"...

Then he is at once powerful again
Back up in his chair
Writing,
Oblivious to all else.