In the Empire of Light
the water’s completely dry  

floating on a surface of itself
around islands pointed south-southwest  

The wind fills it then
with more of itself  

according to the rules
which cause parallel lines  

to vibrate and cross
less and less  

among the hanging baskets from a rain forest
among the visiting statesmen  

from a rain forest
Here the dancer stops  

to regain her balance
and reelaborate the distance  

from the feet to the head
The risk is a part of the rhythm  

She steps out of
and into balance  

with those who are left
Chalk-marks show them where to stand 

--from 'The Book Against Understanding'; Michael Palmer