Shakespeare's acorn

MICRO-MOSAIC

This circle of 7 emerald palms

(with 8 red dots across

lifelines) was pressed

by hand – an infant hand, Phoebe’s –

under the guiding eye of Grace

(in Providence).  Now

I set my cup (micro-

mosaic from Byzantium) in place

atop these marble squares, that trace

brass compass & sundial

of Roger Williams.  Trial

by English fire (Coke’s carapace) 

was his – to bring the Narragansett

word for liberty

to London (& to me).

The sovereignty of good, in its

vernacular incarnation, is

one global, crystalline,

turtleshell acorn –

Shakespearean lap of happiness

(skullcap, human Golgotha-dome

worn meekly in Ferrara

& Venice – Ravenna,

Providence...) – What cheer?  Welcome,

warbles Canonicus, chief

Shaker under raven-

falls (Columbian) –

his handshake stronger than belief.

1.27.16