JOHN THOMAS: A POEM AND A PORTRAIT
Selected Work by Venice Poets

CHRISTMAS, MIDWINTER, LIFE, DEATH, Everything

Always before, Philomene,
stumbling blindly
through my own ideas
as through smells
along a dim street.

with you, Philomene,
this lake of white light,
this plunging river
choked with stars.

With you, Philomene
(my eyes wide),
even
the stupendous pomp
of darkness.

John Thomas