So a Neruda the Brownings
black-and-white photograph of the head of a guitar later
we arrive
at a round table of six
a languorous Sunday South African lunch
no matter

complexities
murmurs of the human heart
memories
whirl unspool in the human mind
layers upon layers
webs of half-truth half-question

the long language*
spoken heard
silence beyond silence
a question beside a question
without unhinging impinging

a different point of emphasis
nocturnal flowerings
leaves of carnal fruits
seaweed crushed in mud and light
furtive declensions into starry waters.