—for and after Stephen Dunn
You'll need an adjective for bedroom,another that makes the forest you keep returning to
seem run-down, a kind of bad neighborhood.
Then an adjective before "path," which changes
the meaning of it, as if you weren't going to end up
where you planned. Or the opposite—
you can't help where you're going. And where
would that be? It's up to you, but remember,
in all of this you should be alone
although at some point a beautiful woman
must appear, throwing everything into question.
That's when the false note rings true.
Maybe she has something to say about Cedar Rapids
or Muddy Waters. She's imaginary,
she can say anything you want. Yes,
how much she desires you is one kind of beginning,
but another might involve looking carefully
at the flowers at the edge of the forest, asking her
their names, then suggesting you don't care
where the path leads if that's where she wants to go.
