it should

lewis

they don't know you

but they're kids

so

we can forgive

and

really

i don't know that it

matters

i don't know that

it does

but

    it should

chinese translation # 1,114

the coffee maker
filter paper
one hundred grams
ten televisions
fifty winds blowing
twenty minds knowing
that the cerebral cortex suitcase
the boarding box
the clothes rack that used to
dry in the sun
come one
come one
the male
the machinery
of the industrial engineers
second year
first year
currency expiring
disbanding
needing another
looking for the northern peripheral
the northern school
domestically speaking
we're equal
and waterproof
if there is a need
it can be arranged
it is possible
nine positive
near to the northern
save the service
lower earth chamber
maybe put out
clean and seal
belt
           lock

almost certainly black

after the third drink

he christened himself

‘yankee doodle dan’

he threw up both hands

and shouted ‘hooray’

before he noticed

he was the only one

celebrating

but that didn’t dampen much of anything

he ordered a round for the table

and that got ‘em talking

again

they said

‘dan

where you at

and how did you get so fat

you used to be rail thin

and always running

what happened   man

                what happened'

‘dan’ chuckled to himself

there aren’t many things in this life

worth compromising your health

but the one that keeps popping up

is the pursuit

            of wealth

which is what i’ve been doing

on my way to hell

      and yes, i do have a few stories to tell

there was a tall man

in africa

he tried to make me drink some water

that wasn’t water

do you know what i mean

he wasn’t trying to poison me

well

i mean

that water wasn’t poison

but his words were

his faith was

i forget his why

but remember

his because

he said

the whole thing came to him

as a revelation

and did i see jesus that way

he was a little taken aback

when i told him i’d never met the man

that i sold bibles from nineteen to twenty-three

but never believed a word of that thing

he said

are you a muslim

on a cairo street

just past supper time

i couldn’t help but laugh

and take it back

i told him jesus was

almost      certainly

 black

then he pretended to have a heart attack

several kinds of fools

i have been several kinds of fools

i’ve even read the bible   twice

no   wait   three times

you see

i was once alone for a great while…

if you’ve read it before

well

it’s still as much of a mess as it always was

and

if you haven’t

well

don’t bother

i mean most folks only use it

as a weapon these days anyway

Empathy

Calm your eyes

Outside    it’s night

Up there   in the sky

Nevermore

That much is certain and

Everyone is aware

Replete with judgment

Trying not to stare

Raved up

Aftermath   and after that

Nevermore

Six   six   sixty-six

For this is the power of the story

Everyone is aware and

Raves on

Razed clean

Everyone is aware and

Nevermore comes

Casual trust or

Empathy

New Book!!

Today marks the release of my new chapbook:

So Narrow, So Sharp # 1-13

The book was hand assembled at PressBoardPress's palatial home offices and hand sewn by a fine American poet, Patrick Riedy.

The book is available in a limited, numbered run of only 26 copies.  Each copy is hand numbered (and lettered) and once they are gone, they are gone for good.

The new books are $6 (that includes postage, worldwide)

If you were waiting for the 'sale' to pick up the first collection, me and me in a lifeboat, then wait no longer.  I've got a special for you.  Normal price is $15 but for the rest of the month you can get both books, post paid for that same $15. 

Don't delay, get some poetry today! 

Buy the new book!

Buy both books, The Special: