Castle Walk

and I will know you in the morning too
be drawn along the castle walk instead
dreaming we were there before we met

we were in other lives forgotten years
as if beginning as we are now living
in the present promises to start again

the mystery of history happens once
we open unarmed portals into trust
that each wants what the other knows

Donut Crumbs

do I have to do this anymore no
yes everything over and again I
am the one who does all that no
wonder I can't think any better

no more anything goes forward
leap up from nap if I'm not late
why panic if people come when
I'm not ready it's their own fault

if I don't do it someone will not
well but spare me good enough
chill out the door framed for a
donut crumbs of smart talking

Liquid Music

correct perception enables good drives
present weather threatening retaliation
hastens liquid music electrical factors
just begin and some or all will follow
if you mean what I know you do more

I know you do what you think you say
but is there something there and if so
what is correct or who decides to go
is not the same remain frozen no time
stops the possibility of something else

Why This

writing it doesn't change it not
enough to make any difference
it's over still the people dead

and I go on wondering why this
phase thus as if explainable by
research repetition documents

trying to get things right at last
praise apologize describe what
only can be diminished finally

what is is when it is no more
who came and went when time
was infinite and fun to waste

Too Thin

you don't always have to live in the present you know
more it is too thin without the context of your glorious
past there is no future and no one with you in memory
you are alone but now she is asleep in the other room

you have to live in the present there is nothing else if
you remember it is not the same it is constructed yes
you are adrift ringing buoys in fog hold on I thought
I saw touched heard felt smelt what is then was now

What What

what I might say is this
instantaneous inspiration
can't you see whatever I
would say if I could have
your attention would cut
to the essence unfolding
as if 'twere folded before
what what is being alive
kicking against barriers

Being Oneself

he would rather be who was
if choice were given separate
opportunities for definition it
may not occur to you for one
reason being who you had to

think about it if you can who
decided what and why makes
all the difference geography
class weather gender decade
all adds up to being oneself

Quiet Comfort

real feelings too poignant to bear
invoke them at your peril or else
live quiet comfort hearing waltzes
we both turn off they fill the space
inside time no room to remember
heartbreak losses put aside go on

Stay In

now it's too cold to heat my studio
everything that matters is in my laptop
stay in
as long as we have gas and electricity
we'll be all right

I wish it would go on and snow I love
the way the landscape is transformed

maybe tomorrow

Best Versions

thoughts of my own require attention
if I'm ever to get anywhere or be here
now cold rain fingers encourage stasis
wisdom whoever comes to spill beans

each separately mutter as we make up
separate worlds idiosynchronous best
versions distinguishable as selves who
act who want to be admired admire

the what of what less matters than that
it be being done progressing by years
sculpted phrase by phrase despairing
enjoying process more than outcome

No Harm

what snit sinks pick
if I cared how much
don't I why else not

nor dare say dank
means you no harm
so don't write them

quiet night buzzes
between crescendi
tapped to the beat

food milk soothing
finale senza crash
suits my light style

Too Easy

life is serious so art
doesn't have to be
unless it is a joke
in which case art
is our only hope
of making sense

too easy to be glib
and say how little
we know if any

Deep Water

eat or die my beauty fails
but never mind we all do

so goes religion if it be
truer choosing after me

same name same thing
imagine new deep water

inside reconciled when
each decides to accept

Whiter Light

if this beauty artifact of youth
why matter I thought revealed
secret harmony essence being

enjoy it anyway while it exists
provisioning diurnal journeys
named by a single witty word

the same revelation escapes
again eludes bronze concept
might elaborate in whiter light

Only Pattern

music proposes order as if possible
artificial sweet as chemicals trick our
gullible sense pursues such pleasure
only pattern till chaos intrudes must
always will yearning for evenness is
not enough image or nature feelings
rising overlap any ready complication

Limited Music

perfect order arises rarely
even with limited cards not
every music always pleases

limited order has to suffice
naked edge of chaos adds
jagged rhythm envigorates

amusement releases pleases
limited music suffices to be
perfect balance jagged now

New Abyss

goodbye Shakespeare hello Dickens
as we shift into winter wind roaring
through the trees along the creek stove
ticking radiating comfortable warmth

ready for what darkness bearing down
above the rush of days another work
poster memory lost companions in art
until I imagine another doable pretext

never again the same requires a new
release of preconceptions new abyss
new falling into flight no way stay still
teetering meaning asking to be made

Learned Behavior

it's not six o'clock yet and I will pass on
reading about Limbaugh forgetting what
else there is fallen between the meanings

promising respect is easy if earned or do
I mean learned behavior pick your models
with care they are your future followers

head reeling falling I can let it all go now
it's over done ourselves proud pioneers
the future came true and went on past

Piling On

don't do anything all is prepared
apart from the feasting we've come
through the confusion of parts and
slippages most of them forgotten

winter time for another Dickens
emerging from the rubber rubble
rubbish piling on the pity oh dear
what I would do for you if asked

Other Fortunes

love and money pouring in
improves mood of memory
this one of many particular
peculiarly unique occasions

Nevele becoming a woman
before one's eyes in 1974
then gone who knew could
tell too late other fortunes

only what arises reminds
us who can work as hard
to see the prince restored

At Peril

who shall I be I already am
if anyone cares or knows to
identify the changing game

a word or single letter shift
makes everything be story
as if nothing is understood

being present needs a past
accumulated lost a context
secrecy at peril of incorrect

Red Leather

who is who is anyone
but where can I meet
if I come too far I am
not who I want to be
imaginary blockages
go on do it if no one
notice but who does
existence everything
if someday someone
changes this picture
even then be clearer
than I am an old one
other characteristics
emerge with demons
wing tail red leather
we are trapped here
together breathing

Natural Alternative

do questions precede answers
or is it all a dance if so how then
do we proceed

asking is my natural alternative
to stating what I easily conceive
but don't believe

avoid the obvious is everything
if sayable said before better if
not the same

unique value of now excuses
groping is permitted sincerely
in the dark

Personal Past

I'd rather not be German thanks
Alsatian I can regard as French
for all the Ich and Sie they spoke

what good is a personal past
now that history is forgotten
heavy a 'vortex of expectation'

England vanished once they left
Jersey Maryland Virginia after
and what Missouri to me now

still something sticks identity
is what I do myself who cares
who knows what came before

After Shakespeare

"Many rural villages lack basic plumbing." —Times

how long half dark the day goes on into the cold
sun rain a break in place can immediately adapt
welcome what comes keep working it's what I do

to exist awake or dream I am real different other
bodies intersect some more complex lives I envy
larger interaction more picturesque impressions

quiet night delight in Dickens after Shakespeare
good company to keep up with family fortunate
not far geography elastic actual even now return

Too Perfect

quick before the time changes
rain stops rattling on the roof
sugar warms the stolen beets
kernels pop neighbors' bran
as if in Italy things are better
I know it's true because I said
what had to be acknowledged
whether anyone knows or not
we were there together when
I forgot to remember present
company except we all really
do the steps reflecting mind
made up make no new claim
too calm too wet too perfect

Maybe Sleep

retreat into solitaire respite from the bleeding
another tiny succès d'estime what joy to watch
actors so tenderly sincere intelligent so much
writing said Mares some stood well deserved
this emptiness wants something maybe sleep

Be Real

I keep wanting what I want
getting most of it still trying
for the rest the show open

everything got done just in
time the way to go happily
take whatever I can manage

art is ruthless otherwise it
doesn't happen something
else is easier and popular

who cares I do effortlessly
impelled toward perfection
of form content high intent

I know it's good I dare say
anything not to make the
wrong impression be real

The Elephant

what happened to yesterday time is not my own
these days all geared to my play about Hamlet
opens tomorrow at the high school ideal black
box classroom chaos every day restored to order

I voted for the Democrats even uninspired they
all want to save money there is plenty but they
spend it on war and weapons that's the elephant
no one can stop or even mention it's too awful

some of us won will do what they can despite
dinosaurs against everything what are they for

Our Faults

people are not as you want them
to be but as they are get used to it

we are not the same if we were
would our faults annoy as much

not being understood too painful
trying harder only makes it worse

accept no alternative ideal obstacle
take what each offers with gratitude

Willing Actors

more lights freer staging let it
evolve I am no Rossini alas no
even Poulenc working harder

presence of mind will suffice
given seven more committed
willing actors frightening wit

social construct barely word-
worthy my whole being hangs
in Libra balance soaring hope