“ If there were a word that meant
thought, mind, spirit
and wish, desire,
appetite.

                  And memory,
and recall. And finally also
will, purpose, intention,

we might have it down:
The impatient child
filled without being filled
filled despite

                                       the longing, being just
sated enough. Pears poached long enough,
making their long, light syrup.

And if we did have the word?
Not just one thing alone,
and not just longing ”