Signifying

Signifying is more like
pushing a paper boat on a fountain bed,
ripples outwarding
edging whoknowswhere shores
(and less like closing a fist
tight enough
that nails sculpt the palm

Meaning is pointing
in the general direction of
the horizon, spanning a string
(invisibled
the length of one corner of the eye
to th'other.

Tying one ripple's end to
understanding,
one to naught,
and passing it
between teeth,
chewing each getting-at,
(metaphorically
and getting stuck

; watching the ripples
outwarding ) ) )