THE POINT IS
(for W.H. Auden,
1907-1973)

Wystan taught us
the point is to love,
having emigrated
from London
to the States entry
who sought to clarify
what is modern,
shutting out hatred
of anyone's race
gender desire or class
in a world out of joint
Auden only meant well
while others jabbered
or hammered for war
which sent men to hell,
he gave us a divine slice
of angel food cake
and told us to love twice,
as we lift up our wine glass
and make peace
for God's sake to dwell.