by Kim Roberts

PHOTO WITH WOMAN AT CLOTHES LINE

Drawn to them as if subpoenaed
to give her life to the horizontal,
the ever moving, the innumerable vertical

with its sad expectancy and ignorance
driving its legendary ribs of wind;
compelled by their intricate logic,

their proud barrier stance, she bowed
to their recommendation, hugged
the curve of their deserted houses,

their brittle dependency to weather,
to changes in the air--shirts and coveralls,
dresses and sheets--neighbored,

landscaped, holding immense and empty hands
and waiting, lined up for her blessing,
her obsession, her worship which would

transfigure, her beautiful and necessary
tunnel of devotion to a ship of air:
to the mere, to the daily, to the glorious mundane.