1/30/12- Replacement Poem, 10.10

from The Darker Sooner (The Best American Poetry pg. 157) 

Then came the lighter later,

came the earlier higher.

We will always be a bitter-there

angry-never-before. We were before never.

We were closer and closer.

Less was the remark we used for softer.

Found was our normal-carrier.

Our demons were lifted slower,

and lifted smaller.

The night was brighter, brighter

was triumph. Our exoneration was certain.

Instead of follower we had quieter,

instead of fighter, always. And under this bridge

built the summer's yellow climate.