Indeed Is the Sound the Day Made

It’s true that I met a Havana businessman

Crossing the Mississippi River beneath Vicksburg 

The time I took was by the shore and weightless

Moments I stuffed like plunder into my tote bag

Because then I wouldn’t need money any more

The Cuban sat in a stolen rowboat stowed

With fat gold-leaf cigars each one chewed

Only a little at the end and he said he’d trade

Twelve stogies for all the time I had in my duffel

One for every year of your young life he said

I said just a minute buddy I’m no chump see

I want the water-splashed light on the gunnel

He said one does not bathe in the same stream

Twice and I said also that half-rotten banana