A poem by Frederick Schardt

VANISH VANITY!

Go on weird feeling
of the mind and get
on with pealing
away the layers of
desired regret.

I waited long for you,
and I no longer want
to wait and instead
want to leap.

You are the lazy susan
who never entered my mind
           before.

Well you need not
tempt me
           with
           a good time
because
            there are no
            more good times
here.

           VANISH AWAY VANITY!
                      and leap into
                      the blue and green
                      sea for

                                  one more
                                             dance.