As the Sun Walks

I will rise and walk the sidewalks as the sun walks them.
With careful steps I will do my best to stay up and awake,  
         Though the sun has no problems with this,
I do— we are far apart, Sol and I, fire and earth.
I will rise and walk the sidewalks as the sun walks them,
  To the best of my ability, be the tip of the invading spear as it
       Mirthfully chases away the night, calling that day has come,
Let Night retire to their mutual couch!


I will rise and walk the sidewalks as the sun walks them.
  For the morning is a sort of table, a place of parley between
Light and Dark, and between silence and noise.
          You, walker, with me walk the sidewalks of Clinton where
     The faithful scholars walk, and the two of us will be quiet.
Perhaps we will speak, but it will be a calm speech,
Perhaps we will be excited, but it will be only the seeds of later energy,
       For noise is coming, but not yet arrived,
    For Silence is here and has always been here, but
Has not surrendered quite yet. Instead
               Smile and sip at whatever hot drink is yours,
     Consider Night and Day and turning wheels,
   And the opening flowers in some field. The morning is
Yours, but only in so much as you speak of it not to it.
We will rise and walk the sidewalks as the sun walks them.