Desire as a Symptom of Infinity

                                                for my intro to Lit student

When it came to his

desires, he didn’t know:

I asked. Once, in the library,

I caught him laughing

Over Bambara’s tale—

I thought I had him

hooked. But in the Winter

mornings he’d sleep

Through class, possum

for every bait I lured.

I told him I won’t

make his decisions—

But maybe I should be

more plain: I want your genius,

perfection, at least

a one time leap

Into the Up-stream Cosmos.

Don’t stagnate, student,

for without a wish Lake
Bonneville left us forever.

                                                        Jared Pearce