Quixotic Concubine

after coitus
the Quixotic Concubine
set out
in a personal diaspora
for Rome, Mecca, Benares,
Salt Lake, Taos, Machu Pichu
Lhasa
anywhere some
Holy One
might shine

a line for her to follow
on & on & on
wander & query & wander
& query – after wan stars &
blazing present & distant
her passion
distressing in absence
distorted in presence
& dissipated finally,
in the wind

Who carries frankincense?
Travel light, she said,
tracing her path
as sound
made sight—

in silence
the concubine
who fucked the
frankly feckless monk
for money
& a mention
of some god
& moving on
left him
aching

for a goddess.