El Hombre
It’s a strange courage
you give me ancient star:
Shine alone in the sunrise
toward which you lend no part!
Fool,
put your adventures
into those things
which break ships—
not female flesh.
Let there pass
over the mind
the waters of
four oceans, the airs
of four skies!
Return hollow-bellied,
keen-eyed, hard!
A simple scar or two.
Little girls will come
bringing you
roses for your button-hole.