Far darter

This morning I fumbled to find my voice
a line I caught on the wind
falling flat
as I woke slowly to the radio
with the volume turned down
too low for me to hear the voice
of the news presenter
or the erstwhile poet in my head
or so it seemed to me then

both were speaking in tongues
disguising their meanings
and covering their tracks
like mimes in leotards and slippers
and hats with fascinators

performing
with the strength of Baryshnikov

and the footwork of Fontaine
parading grace like a circus wheel
in some latter day Babel

watching a music video madier it easier
as my feet kept time better than my head
and soon I felt the rhythm
even as I heard the beat

the rhyme came upon me quickly
and I tried to catch it with my lips
I wonder how dogs find it so easy
to pick a throw

when at last I could give the words mouth
I forgot them again
and only the rhythm returned the rhyme
to the tip of my tongue

I wonder if Homer ever stuttered
or stumbled
when repeating Agamemnon

or Achilles

picturing Apollo

following the trajectory
of the far darter
in his quest for the girl.