Its Avid Dominions

Charles Mingus: Myself When I'm Real

The compass
of the Universe
may falter,
warping spheres
that never see
their day
bring forth planets.
And tools and grain
and words
riddled with indolence
come to rest
in some indifferent corner.
Do not reach
your brain
over what seems alien
or pass so many
sleepless nights.

Leave off
torturing
the laws of chance--
they also
play their part.
Here no juniper
is growing,
no sycamore,
no cassia.
Here is
the growth of stone
according us
its dominions--
its avid dominions.


--Pablo Neruda