A Type of Utopia

After reading Rumi
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Don’t try to see through the distances.
That’s not for human beings,
but only this, finite
in our remote singularities
and itemized (not individualized)
in all of our shining
and glorious plurality.
A company of humanity,
bell-jar babies—perfect
in every way except
our own. Do not try
and see, but comprehend
only. Understanding
surpasses our sight.

Ach, Du

After reading Sylvia Plath
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A fish, orange
swimming through dark air
swimming both up and sideways

(You have to see yourself
be yourself
then we’ll let you free)

Fish, orange in that velvet dark—
paneled mirrors lining
that shining passage

Am I me
or is that reflection
who I’m supposed to be?