Ein Augenblick
Because they say a man who faces death
Has flashed before him all the best that he
Experienced in life, at my last breath
I definitely know what I will see—
A friend I loved when I was ten (his name
Was Sammy; he had playground curls), that night
When college singers purified with flame
Bohème all middle-aged fatness and blight
Of opera house productions), then the deep,
Wide unity of playing Bach among
An orchestra one Friday evening, steep
Designs of Rockies rising up like strong
Tectonic crowns; or, then again, just this:
Your lips, our first unbreathing lust, that kiss.