Kilimanjaro Obscured
The drizzle came in stealth before midnight,
Continued like the mind, fixated, of
A leopard on a limb, flexing for flight
Downward on its prey. This fate from above
I met with tourist equanimity:
The sleepy thought that comforted me was,
“All right, that means the mist and cloud will be
Cleared up by dawn.” Thus man’s hopefulness does
It weakling’s bravery, its lying trick.
Of course when morning came, the sky hung still
With murk. The leopard gives her tail a flick.
I won’t let disappointment leap down, shrill–
I close my eyes against the lack of view.
Up rears a trance: curled claws of beauty (you).