Darwin Is Despondent

I understand the billboard's promise.
I get the spire, but not the spirit.
I hear the troops get pizza.
I understand a little Texan.

I've considered everyone knows
            two, forbids zero, attempts three.
And I do appreciate you've conducted
            a comprehensive search outside
            and in this luminous dress.

I understand the lozenge is the
            moon, the tree an altar.  And the red peignoir
            rustling is the sound of all this classifying.

You come from away.  I understand you can't stay. 
Even the finch, after such a contribution, is misunderstood

*to be published in Court Green, Columbia College, Chicago, Fall 2007