RIMBAUD'S APPEAL

Longing for an exile's home
after a week
Rimbaud,whether in Paris, Java
or in quarters of French Afrique
is a wild child in an underdog age
an embarrassed alien on the planet
feeling shapeless as last night's dream
he has spotted another orphan's
foundling in its seamless nest
hearing a bird of prey's song
who also cannot find rest,
yet setting out to run miles
in his search for water and bread
among the alleys as a poet guest
from an abyss of thieves
without any church or abbey to seek
a soul not dead yet invisible to beliefs
not noticing or admiring the galleries
refusing any kiss of peace
nor reconciled in rounding words
even during holy week.