Get Up

none escape yet beauty
arises in spite of our loss
will be twice awakened
realize first then get up

without old distractions
tiring of clear skies sun
welcome promised fall
forward positive change

Perfect Clarity

the writing writes itself once set going
every word replaceable by any other
as if parts of speech mattered the most

the opposite of what is meant is said
confusing the opposition sows doubt
that anything can fail to be understood

this goes on until bedtime at the least
murmured soothingly gradually slows
as perfect clarity emerges from the fog

Smiling

constructed by circumstance
process playing out the form

I see you smiling like myself
barely able to get the line out

sddaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Hot Night

what kind of salad serves Thespis
how accelerate the hot night tempo
without directing even then you can't

just to have an actor for every part
never short of opinions all can talk
and do whether or not I am listening

Its Mark

one good sentence after another
falls off my poor fingers into
the sky or memory what is the
point if no one will read them
what do they contain but life
its mark as if agreeing to it all

Who Else

go ahead say it I'm lonely
not lonely really but isolate
not enough friends or action
no one to talk to all the day
especially when you're away

of course I can't be friends
with any man of my own age
too lumpy not sexy annoying
feebleness preechoing mine
and who else wants to be

nothing to be done it's life
goes this way wish or not
unnecessary to be sorry I
wasn't someone different
did something else entirely

Thick Fingers

an unexpected glow
in the dark corner
he plays a little Mozart
anatomizing the turn
thick fingers nimble enough
mind momentarily there
then returns to words
as the sun rises
the light moves on

Two People

I talk to the chickens
and to you the "page"
none else to muse to
emptily walking about

one will have to be two
people in order to exist
to give and to receive
actually do something

The Source

strange noises disturbing when alone
like images unidentifiable intrusions
into familiar photographs like dreams

walk around listen more closely find
the source tells everything unknown
harmonies of color sound and person

too simple for a novel unremembered
passions deliberately provoked kind
friends ready to be called upon to help

Other Ages

forever trying to get from one place in Manhattan to another
as if I never outgrew my twenties or fifties never dreaming
other ages I have known as well or better thinking clearer
doing what I embrace instead of the old moth-like fluttering
want need can choose your verb for these unique occasions
each single pair of nights framing another unrepeatable day

Judge Not

continuous development multiple paths
mechanical racket distracting attention
paid work eludes elderly even if needy

John Burke analyses explains already
known facts benefit from being spoken
Apostolic candor replaces face-to-face

therefore be kind judge not be wrong
about how it feels to be someone else
or pretend to be other than as you are

This Once

we are all brands
each named product
selling ourselves

self-styled moniker
ineradicable
signed forever more

speak as yourself
creating the role
this once only

You May Be Right

perfect stories don't need to prick you
with their point they are not needles

things happen that's all you can really
count on say more you may be wrong

by the time you can explain it will be
over superseded by something strange

it doesn't follow that you understand
you may be right but it hardly helps

Frequent Errors

did you ask
what you couldn't have known
or did you think you knew
enough
already completely satisfied

what can we learn
from our frequent errors
ahead of the facts
or behind
shaping them to our pleasure

are you serious
about learning to be better
prepared
for whatever happens next
beyond your control

Refined Taste

everything offends me if I let it
bringing infant to piano recital
not knowing not to talk it's how
things are not everyone behaves

some scorn rules or don't know
some think they are stars couldn't
care less others can't help it the
whole damn thing has gone to hell

marketing now is to the young
what they're selling I don't want
refined taste defines a territory
glimmers of sanity within the flux

afraid of being too frank I waffle
obscure one minute naked the next
if I don't say what I actually think
what possible point to writing

Lean Back

relax
lean back
don't do anything
breathe
look about
observe the situation
you in it
now

My Skin

pieces of my skin a trail
around house and land
into Portland and back
a lively play at Full Life
Powell's Hawthorne
sleepy after lunch nearly
nod off driving home
nap tai chi in the park
tiny pieces of my skin
everywhere remain

A Friend

keep it simple
though it isn't

say it plainly
try to be clear

follow a path
through trees

each a friend
of somebody

Can Do

is that all I did
another hesitation
not remembering
more than I do

but the past is over
I told you already
everything I know
arises again anew

so plan a tomorrow
do what you say
be there if you can
no reason not

The Net

the net gives the game meaning
if you insist on meaning and not
just to bat the ball around sillily

how can we be friends you are so
and I am so both wanting to be
how we are accidentally formed

what we have in common what
we most deny random interests
choices for inexcusable reasons

Burning Hot

the sun is suddenly my enemy
blazing on me no matter what
my face is burning hot and red
even inside the car I am seared
how can I return the television
how can I do anything at all

Sudden Drama

too much and then you relax
seeing with one eye changes
everything is refreshed again
sudden drama plainest truth

To Perch

wouldn't it be pleasant to be a chicken
albeit briefly
someone like me taking care of every little thing
turning up morning and evening
supplying food water
safety
amused by one's behaviors
cheerfully indulging one's every whim
short of running away or squatting in the laying box
I unceremoniously push you out
to perch

Putting in Mistakes

not expecting you will be perfect
doesn't mean you shouldn't try
putting in mistakes on purpose
not necessary against the rules

too many words for the thought
my ideal minimalist efficiency
cool elegance exuberant design
where life can occur as it does

Twilight Blue

more research might not help me
unluckily I don't know how to learn
I take a chance and come up short
spend unwisely on pants a new tv
avoid shopping eager buy be done

buying a car went better explained
by the salesman reliable company
years of service provided for free
twilight blue suits our driveway
the tv if they'll take it goes back

Common Sense

pointlessness being
the nature of reality
cannot be intolerable
or we would not exist

what I meant to say
before that happened
no longer need apply
pressure already high

now it can be released
into effervescent space
withheld for advantage
contrary common sense

Infinite Spin

am I thinking what I think I am thinking
reading philosophy or something other
what I will do later or what it all means
how I feel right now and possible whys
one moon's egg one of myriad wrigglers
am plural in the singularity of presence
limitations habits vision contingencies
expanding narrowly within infinite spin
so be it how it is when I think about it

Genuine Smiles

nothing can be revealed
without embarrassing myself
and others more

music implies something else
going on as well
as what I say and pretend

little is allowed
despite apparent freedom
to do anything

genuine smiles
disarm indulgent parents
eager to do well

Early Rise

go ahead don't wait
anybody else doing
own Saturday night

tomorrow follows
no matter how late
children stay awake

you will be different
even doing nothing
might as well agree

give it your all then
go to bed yourself
ready for early rise

Various Cuisines

our different musics
illuminate sharings
otherwise obscure

our various cuisines
reveal alternative
everyday assuming

individual rhythms
define our choices
make ourselves up

Mutual Support

they like me well enough
and I like them despite our
different tribes and tastes
they don't know what to
make of me I'd need time
with each to tell them all
they don't want to know
age invalidates my view
so I say less than I think
take them as they present
a flicker of recognition
affirms a mutual support

Will Revealed

everything done that could be done
or anyway was done
was enough

an alliance
strong as the strongest member
tested at games

the moles' predations
humble all alike
still will revealed prevails

High Heat

at least no one takes my glasses
found on piano where I left them
day of high heat honest good
rewarded with perfect summer

cooked with Julian gazpacho
Dick Wade clams pesto pasta
salad cooling off with croquet
taking care of every loose end