Mercies

After John Donne’s “Occasional Mercies”

How curious it is 
wrapped in rags of time 
for a child   in the depth of night 
to text her sorrows 
to a school friend 
on the planet’s sunlit side 
& receive an instant reply

How long her legs become 
on the sky bridge   striding 
from winter   into the summer 
of Caribbean sunlight   where 
fruit is ripe in season

Her plane might pass over 
both desert & ocean   before 
touching down   She oversteps 
spring   then oversteps autumn 
on the return flight 
back & forth   from south to north 
for the heat coexists with cold 
as day with night

When she’s benighted   wintered    
frozen   clouded   & eclipsed 
forgetful of eternal noon 
what seems as bright as the moon? 
But Love’s legs are stronger 
& so much longer   simultaneously 
bringing justice & mercy 
with no sign   of spring or fall 
gradual dusk   or gradual dawn