Units of Perception

Thirty-first of the first month
(skies alternately sunny and foul)
I conclude my research
into the change in my perceptions
since attending the concert.
Hampered by inappropriate units

I've failed to unite
my fishhook with the moon
despite prolonged and concerted
efforts. All the nets are fouled
by my faulty perception
of depth. It's hopeless to search

for answers in this research.
The universe's seamless unity
is all my instruments perceive--
analysis, impossible. All month
I lay awake while returning waterfowl
filled the night skies with concerts

of travel music. The concert
that triggered this vain research
project fled from memory. Foul
play, composer: promise unmet!
If you've thought me a mooncalf
lately, it's a fair perception:

I've been preoccupied, perceiving
something conveyed at the concert
had been lost on me. What it meant
was the object of my research.
I struggled in vain to untie
thing from symbol: failed.

The universe itself cried foul.
It's not so easy to alter perception
and though the dramatic unities
required revelation at the concert,
I went on a fruitless search
that consumed an entire month.

I fouled up. Too much time in search
of a unit to measure the meaning
of a concert at the doors of perception.

Collection available! Knocking from Inside