Silent at first; br A duet danced and sung by eager eyes br Across a distance ineffectually imposed br By dining-table dimensions, br The conversation continues. br br The merest movement of the least lash or lid br Received and read at the Speed of Sight, br Yet Einstein’s Constant seems somehow estranged, br As if the gentle gravity of our love and longing br Pulls, bends and slows every photon almost to a standstill. br br The image of my face plunges, headlong br Through your beautiful pupil portals, br Those dark, dilated isles br Set in their emerald oceans, br Diving deep to register upon your retina br An upside-down reproduction of reality br Ready to be righted unconsciously. br br Thereby miraculously inverted, translated br Am I to multiple memories of me related: br All I am, have been and ever shall be br Gathering about this new comrade captive – br An orderly crowd of possibilities br Vying for the opportunity to be selected and connected. br br You orchestrate your instruments of mind and matter. br You choose and your chosen memory br Is matched and married to the moment. br You find yourself a well-wisher br Watching her newly-weds br Run gaily giggling br Under the blade-sharp incisors of a pearly-white guard of honour, br Through the Kissing Gates br And on into revelation: br Conversation. br br br Yet before they set sail in their romantic carriage br Bound for sound: br Exotic lands of hearing, listening, thinking and responding, br Know, My Love, that I see your Spirit, br I know your Soul, br That an ‘Iowan Conversation’ br Though silent’s still whole.