If only she would eat insects.
If the only road open knows things.
If only she would prompt the gentleman
ladybug to unfold its wings at civil twilight.

If the only night they can meet
evaporates in the fog. If only she would
be a lady and never unfold
rivers or rain in broad daylight.

If the only leg left
is crushed into a poultice.
If only she would fly
with the best of them.

If the only sky she knows
refuses to laugh at the moon’s jokes.
If only she would ask
Claude instead. If the only song

she sings travels abroad.
If the only loner left would join her
among the sea shells
cosmos seedlings.