One Day
So much can happen in one day.
The Sphinx knew it and built a reputation upon it,
metaphor folded tight in the origami construction of his play,
until Oedipus pulled hard, tugged with an expert reply
which scythed through the seams, sprung the trap
and severed the Sphinx from his life.
Yes much can occur in a single day.
In a single day the Sun is born, travels from his mother’s
arms,
fills the sky before facing the fact of his descent
to be nursed in old age once more at her breast.
In this tender Slavic lore the agéd child needs holding through
the night;
when the glowing ember of the heart needs care
whilst the Moon Chasers shriek about their heads,
she tends his failing light in the dark, until pulling free
he climbs the blue anew. She waits below the horizon,
anticipates his return. Much can happen in a day.
Marvellous poem.
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