Saturday, April 30, 2011

Tight Teeth

wake with tight teeth stressed
syllables express newly bright
ambiguity of ethical response

I can't stop thinking even after
all repose inspiring recovered
memories of underused clubs

still we are here with each one
world in pieces where or when
or if you were my finest friend

this I dare say despite a light
rain who might ignore regrets
embrace a fair welcome home

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Purer Living

accept importance one must not fail
a thing worth doing is worth doing
twice as much as anyone you know

therefore wake up and also sleep
enough as needed for purer living
color me stupid I will still try again

this time know better start too fast
make sudden choices try this that
the other direction hope works well

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Being Good

if I can't think what hope is there any
limit beyond mortality the individual
short burst of brilliance then nothing
doing in between phrases instinctive
revulsion arises in midst pleasuring
part of happiness being good I say
be good is appropriate stop there

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Just Stop

I know all that
can't we just stop
does our wealth really depend on weaponizing the world
the collapse is well underway
who will suffer
not the rich

Sunday, April 24, 2011

Nothing New

nothing new this fall murders
desperate struggles to survive
imperial machinations frankly
territorial ambitions need for
energy to waste extravagance
trashed communities the norm

complexity triumphant briefly
naturally breaks down the one
ignored in favor of the foolish
short-term gain no one listens
to me I don't have much to say
any student doesn't yet know

Saturday, April 23, 2011

Some Pleasure

what is the value of effort is it usefulness
to others a dent in the surface of suffering
or is compassion its own reward shall we
speak out against evils or ignore them like
Strauss writing "Capriccio" during the war

just live and be happy unashamed to win
though undeserving produce work might
give some pleasure somehow somewhere
love the ones given pull one's weight be
calm relax do what it takes is that enough

Thursday, April 21, 2011

Almost Hard

delete beats wastebasket you can't
go back and find what never really
was there when it was all forgotten
none cares or dares to really think
big deep understanding long man
longing mere existing almost hard
this fragment washes up on shore
against ruin beyond all personage

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

While Away

practical matters whether more than others care
badly wanting what they already have while some
devise excuses for investment in a friend's despair
leaving town nor reason for an inconvenient hope

Swinburne swiftly willing patient wit without want
of yearning vaguely forward into further chaos is
that what he said he knew he didn't know better
go while you can while away brief Parisian night

Monday, April 18, 2011

What Else

is this person or machine what running
on a track laid forward prior decision
if action or going through motions I
rehearsed in planning no way to know
who or what else might have happened

no not-this possible this is what it is
to be alive enmeshed fresh energies
respond as promised warm of heart
determined to be good do what I say
arising every day meaning it more

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Temporary Happiness

I am the manager king who wasn't there
what didn't happen doesn't matter at all
we read ate read ate cake talked another
date more plays just because we're here
compared to whatever might have been
even if it's what it is or has to become
I am the prophet of temporary happiness
leftover sweets as the end of diet nears

Friday, April 15, 2011

Not Knowing

can I take an interest in history
or philosophy be amused by my
infirmities mistakes missteps an
as if witty performance of my life

or go on not knowing anything
even smarter than I used to be
before whatever happened was
not the same as starting again

as thin as it sounds I have my
pleasures cards dining the farm
two chicks two calves grazing
keep us here where we belong

Thursday, April 14, 2011

What Would

if he cared he would melt
he did care and melted
continuing semi-gelled
files corrupted programs
finally refusing to start

he would cook onions
potatoes mushrooms
make a salad see Macbeth
if that didn't help what would

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Same Story

another meta situation the writer
stewing in computer limbo waits

another draft or a different book
same story context still unknown

memory crystallizes understands
less craves meaning even more

the bits accumulate and suddenly
lose force coherence plays rough

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

Wrong Decisions

something is lurking outside my door
I saw it for a second in the moonlight
am I imagining things or is this really
happening a constant noise my brain
humming like overheated circuitry all
machines make sound lights all over
wrong decisions rapidly catching up

Monday, April 11, 2011

Oozing Out

eyes glasses collage book ectoplasm
oozing out in all directions call it back
I am not here I am writing everywhere

Saturday, April 09, 2011

New Potatoes

embedded in the rogue culture I toss
and turn pages this was my mistake I
belong to another misled by a garden

but who doubts they are dead or new
potatoes now that the last are traded
for eggs the chicks quickly chickenish

why did I believe the clearly contrived
illusion of permanence that only lasts
as long as you are willing to do work

even then hollow promises not said
don't count against chance accident
slow movement of the earth's crust

Friday, April 08, 2011

Other Ideas

"Hit your marks. Know your lines. Save your money." —Liza Minnelli

knowing when to leave is no help
when there is nowhere else to go
the other places taken by others
with other ideas about living well

neither strength nor appetite can
now avail requires learning to be
still here and the seasons all one

I burned the soup talking poetry
and life glints of contact sunlit

Thursday, April 07, 2011

This Moment

having said that crushed by history
what is there am I responsible for
everything evidently yes who else

there is this moment though sun
shining colors singing over talk of
"shut-down" somehow life goes on

Seeming Solid

is this the alienated proletariat
Lapham speaks of suffer more
underground or in satanic mills
seeming solid as a bouregoisie
they are dazed with fear can't
think the language bogus weak
misused to justify deny interest
anything but recognize the true
situation rapidly unraveling too
late deranged manipulated sick
at heart oh my beautiful planet

Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Straight Up

off is an illusion though I can
not think something going on

air museum now bittersweet
war planes too sad dead youth

what has our triumph wrought
huge energy harnessed to kill

burning wealth to fly straight
up above any real necessity

leaving earth scorched bare
masses miserable birds gone

cheery thoughts for rainy day
happily zoned for restoration

Tuesday, April 05, 2011

Always There

violet has been under a stream of sadness
she got lost in the care of josh who was trapped in panic
and under the influence of perception-numbing medication
a year went by
she stopped her own dreams and aspirations
she became engulfed in a cloud of deep depression
she realized she would always help her loved one
now violet no longer has sleepless days and nights
in a gentle soft yet firm voice she reminds josh that he is strong now
freed from the grip of the medication he was given
he needs to sit quietly and gather all of his strength
he can breath calmly and vanquish his panic attacks
violet is counting on spring to bring her back into the world she almost lost
the world that gives her comfort
her world of magic
being close to nature
reconnecting with her intuition
knowing when to turn the corner or go in a straight line
violet's belief in herself appeared to disappear at times
under it all it was always there
when Violet hears the birds singing she is reassured that her world awaits her
she is ready with open arms to receive all it offers

Monday, April 04, 2011

What I Did

what I didn't do this time
solicit nominations
contact poets
press
podium and sound system
what I did
treasurer
meetings
participate in selecting poets and making schedule
arrange venues
write press release
produce poster and brochure
manage mailing lists
write grants and fund-raise
public face
attend

Saturday, April 02, 2011

Best Thought

let them do it they do so well
serious practice considered
themes thrust yearning form
the opposite of inspiration

I like them much intelligent
self-possession despite our
hospitality thawing knowing
giving it their best thought

do learn that we can speak
of any trouble funny story
unmentionable inclination
is our perfect lawful friend

Friday, April 01, 2011

Old Facts

trying not to elide emotion
express it say how you feel
years of cool frustrate form
let it be as simple as subtle

what quiet control can offer
wild excess accuses falsely
each deciding her own way
immune to embarrassment

I can say what I mean plain
truth its own excuse to be
not memories but old facts
affirm what I always knew