Alchemical Signals

By Diane Di Prima

From Volume 2 (2011)

for instance, the aurora borealis

lightning,   a beached whale

the dream you didn’t have   or

a slip of the tongue

these are signs

(everyone else is telling stories)

signs can’t be told

tho you can learn

to read them—

if you’re lucky enough to 

catch one going by

keep it to yourself