the entertainer

Her mind exquisite,
and admirable form and voice
and poise and taste define
a universe full of possible things, behind
the prettiest puzzlement you
are likely (and would be lucky) to find
in so thoughtful, open
and homely a face
- in original sense, homely: with a glow
of hearth and a breaking heart's
worth of welcome to see
- except sorry, I looked it up. It seems
homeliness never meant that. Pity.
And so, retraction and back
we go to the prettiest puzzlement you
are likely and would be lucky to find
on so thoughtfully open and quite
simply lovely a face. It comes

of her entertaining thoughts.

She's seemingly keen to admit them all,
and to entertain them quite seriously,
even the ones I introduce which could easily be
ridiculous.

She fails to indulge in their ridicule,
indulging instead in the things that lie
just beyond, which they've led her to,
and through, and so sweetly and fruitfully on

down low, up high - wherever they lead.
Her serious entertainment of thought
finds dizzying vistas and scenic views
that one could never have found without
her instinct and sense, her curious sniff
and pounce of inner bewhiskered muse,

as you've come to see.
Once you are there - whereverywhere
happiness haply finds - led seriously
along thoughtful paths, it's perfectly
apropos to laugh oneself silly enough,

and be glad one took the time.

Or, rather importantly, two
took the path. And seriously.

She puts me in mind of whatever
we have to do, and how each of us
could take the lead, easily into.