In Itself

In a flash, I know.

Still blinded by the explosion,
My eyes turn within. Toward the darkness;
Depths without light.

Dim caverns housing black shapes;

Not distinguishable, but apart;
Not many, but one
And infinity ―

An answer? …

I reach out to grab it.
But it disappears. The motion.
Moves it out of camera range.

October 1977

“In Itself” appeared in Best Poets of 1988, edited by John Frost, published by the American Poetry Association, 1989. It also appears in From These Words (poetry 1973-1988) available for download on this site.