ENLIGHTENMENT
   
   
    the only solution
    is to put a window into the night
    a lit window at arm's length into the night
   
    then wait
        until they turn out the light
    then wait a little longer
    remaining patient

    until
        they are sleeping soundly
    then steal into the warmth
    listen
        and change their dreams

                                   (1976)
       
   
   
   
    OF DREAMS
   
   
    Some die
    of dreams. They
    hurl into them, blinded
   
    by their light.
    But dreams offer no
    resistance. Should the dreamer
   
    not himself resist
    he will fall
    through the dream -
   
    to his death. In dreams
   
    only
    wakefulness
    will hold ...
   
   
                            (1993)
   
   
   
   
    
    FACING IT
   
   
    When suddenly
            our vision
                    clears
                we are bound to admit
        that the overbearing hardness
    merits no interest -
                And because the words
            beat against it
    like stained rain
            merely.
   
                We seek shelter
        under solid questions
            that are safe
    from deadly answers
                while
        the sand
    crawls from underneath us
            down the silo.
   
   
                                (1991)
   
   
   
    DARK FERRY
   
   
    On the far edge of awareness
    the schooner Solitude at anchor,
    out of earshot,
   
    out of the reach of words,
    flying the epidemic flag:
    quite properly.
   
    Could just as well be a pirate ship!
    Why not?
    Rocking on the gentle waves.
   
    Bulk tarblack
    against a
    child's sky.
   
    It never disappears
    but comes into sharper focus on the horizon
    with each passing year ...
   
    Shortly the chains will sound.
    The dark ferry moves closer to the landing place.
    Unloading silence.
   
   
                                    (1995)

Árni Ibsen