Gary Snyder

DECEMBER AT YASE


You said, that October,

In the tall dry grass by the orchard

When you chose to be free,

"Again someday, maybe ten years."

.

After college I saw you

One time.

You were strange,

And I was obsessed with a plan.

.

Now ten years and more have

Gone by: I've always known

Where you were—

I might have gone to you

Hoping to win your love back.

You still are single.

.

I didn't.I thought

I must make it alone.

I Have done that.

Only in a dream

like this dawn,

Does the grave, awed intensity

Of our young love

Return to my mind, to my flesh.

We had what the others

All crave and seek for;

We left it behind at nineteen.

.

I feel ancient, as though I had

Lived many lives.

And may never now know If

I am a fool

Or have done what my

karma demands,

like this dawn,

.

Does the grave, awed intensity

Of our young love

Return to my mind, to my flesh.

.

We had what the others

All crave and seek for;

We left it behind at nineteen.

.

I feel ancient, as though

I had Lived many lives.

.

And may never now know

If I am a fool

Or have done what my

karma demands.