LOVE POEM FOR AN ATHEIST

by Michael Carmen

Oh what can you be thinking of-
melting cosmic dust in a chemist's spoon?
the end of asking is the end of love.

Will you forever wear a glove
to catch the string of earth's balloon?
Oh what can you be thinking of?

Would you deny the tidal shove-
a baby on the shore-the pull of mother moon?
The end of asking is the end of love.

No child will come of this-no dove
annunciate conception's boon.
Oh what can you be thinking of?

You make a mirror of your spoon to prove
there's nothing you would importune.
The end of asking is the end of love.

And still you sail alone at night, no star above
your little lake-listening to the lonely loon-
oh what can you be thinking of?
The end of asking is the end of love.