IMPROVISATION#302
JOHN CLARE'S DREAM
(1793-1864)

John Clare's dream
careened into a nightmare
awake at last in his room
viewing through postcards
of his estranged mind
historical English scenes
of the countryside
as if a gloomy oracle
offered to him
a sleepwalker's insight
though sliding Doric windows
he swore he saw a hawk
until shadows of first light.