DREAMING OF BURMA

Woke up in Paris
Burma is on stage
with the lady and tiger
next to the lion of Judah
whose visage has aged
in a shaggy mane
the waters approach you
with a once exiled Zion's fire
in your lines and veins
there was only one Burma
though so many understudies
in your century and ours
pressing on the firmament
of your dressing room
where so many desired you
to deflower your fragrance
in the perfumed drop curtains
you receive
no embarrassed applause
in a chance dream meeting
undercover of a Paris Match
with Sarah Bernhardt
which covers your empathy
as the medium swings
its affectations heart
catching up to the stage
for your cause is to act
above the pendulum
of your lover's part.