4: 04 A.M. Poem by RIC BASTASA

i am imagining two blue whales
far away from each other
one in the deep oceans of
South Africa
the other one in
the deep trenches
of the Philippines
they still communicate
with what or why?
who knows? something magical
or mysterious
they still have to know
what signals are there
to be clearly
deciphered
from extreme distances

a call for help?
but perhaps something more or
just a feeling for something
they want
to be familiar with

do you ever believe
in previous lives?
if so, what were we?
were we together once?
or are we just ordinary
strangers meeting
on a train on a short trip
on temporary
acquaintances?
we glance, look down,
and then
go away

tell me