WOLE SOYINKA'S BIRTH
July 24, 1934

Waiting for the scales
on an eye of justice
to open an unblemished time
for a miracle in Lagos
from your prisoner's sigh
perhaps a kindly word
to save the earth
when day and night splits
from the scroll in logos
to transfix a risen line
of staring into love
by an outstretched pulse of hand
running like anointed oil
over Aaron's fairly long beard
as someone hides a letter
from a fellow poet
trembling an inscribed wish
in your crumbs of bread
escaping no notice
at the dove at your window
by the trees time span
invading the small space
at your marvel of life
in the gradual light
from the perfumed rainbow
out of your pocket poetry
we casually picked up
after a reading
at the used bookstore
in Harvard Square.