A Fantasy

I pose as my father posed as his
but something other came to be
queer possibility broke the chain
I did not get stuck the same way
apart from our shared mortality

does this example prove anything
besides another chance outcome
how can I entirely free my sons
or is the past their prime capital
transcendent change a fantasy

Before Anything

no one dies the same
sun prepares to rise air
once more renewed cool
in its unwonted warmth

having set the stage exit
before anything happens
leaving everything ready
for someone else to act

Which Day

weeding cooking I forget which day I wrote
or not wanting to miss a movie read a book
this too tight pattern loosely holds the reins

you go away in order to return refreshed we
miss each other's presence closeness known
only to ourselves within the envelope of time

twice today recovers non-occurring plans I
thought were already over adjusting easily
enjoying absence as readily as being at home

Still Here

in the gap I catch a glimpse of myself existing
between doing distracting rushing to catch up
silent voice in head tripping over its own feet
wording wordless excavating forms forgotten
in the push to be here now modern au courant
I'm still here still becoming who I want to be

Staying Home

if you don't like anything anymore
what then watch out danger ahead

everything is as it was not entirely
what you imagined in growing up

couple same farm animals change
community evolves ourselves too

is anything enough if so what then
weed woo write worth staying home

The Day Begins

I don't want to write
all the time but what
else is one to do before
breakfast then the day
begins and doesn't stop

then it's done and I can
read or play with my
Rubik's cube or solitaire
see what thoughts arise
to fill the amazing day

Not Knowing

I only know what I know (or can look up)
it's not enough I am always learning more
trying to do better find out what's right there

I wouldn't be wrong if I could help it or put
my elbow in my ear known fool who isn't
willing to say what I think not knowing

if you find out tell me why should I agree
you are no different more serious because I
need to believe it worth saying even as it is

One Memory

if I don't know no one does
the others who were there
are dead each one memory
only lasts as long as we do
sweet but not to be trusted
to be true or what mattered
all remembering is action in
the present tense then gone

Much Better

error is forgiven if you tried
try not to hurt yourself or
innocent bystanders lovers
vulnerable animals all
get it right the next time
close enough much better
practice where no one hears
as perfect as you can is fine

A Ray

hotter and hotter pressed to sell
yourself the product embodied
case made by whatever you do
jury of planets and atmosphere

only within do I find meaning
mine theirs there in a mystery
cloud I am a particle and a ray
consumed in time of becoming

Last Resort

by Daniel Potter

The rooster finds love rising
before dawn.  Declares
our last resort: enjoy the pain!

Hear echoes in your cry for help, Comanche
shouting ride the horse.
Feathers flying mean you feel
big spaces, hunger's attention, longing love.

Who's not seduced when rippling patterns lift
our smiling to a god in lakes of fish?

Remember, gravity in Captain Death's museum
shapes the soul's mantle through appearance
but who will share her innermost resort?
Sh.  The Pope is washing feet.

Rising Sun

cloudless sky rising sun
touching treetops orange
becoming newest green
the bright light clarifies

so the mind reidentifies
forgotten dreams waning
familiar tropes reemerge
sounding just like himself

Do More

tomorrow I will think about Freddie again
for Gerard who has many questions puts me
much earlier in my story many changes since

I don't want to go there haven't I squeezed it
dry dismayed by my own erring innocence
as if anything could have come out different

anyway it all worked out pretty well Johnny
wasn't busted did what he liked succeeded
and I've enjoyed three more wonderful lives

it can't hurt me now I'll make a book of his
collages reawaken ghost and take a chance
do more is all I can one moment at a time

Bare Will

just me and my mind stream
twinkling down the av-e-nue
of trees and dreams and broken
hearts have little to do with this
episode of learning how to do it

bare will quietly self-expressed
without regard for praise or gain
who could recognize it anyway
distracted by their own hunger
gratified and ready for more

More Breakfasts

is it better to be bigger to do more
count words trips to work or across
the country oceans orgasms books

gravity loves flesh buoyant bones
can hardly hold it up it aspires to
levitate clings together in ecstasy

is it more to be big and dramatic
dig into art insist on being right
despite inertia change your mind

you ask because you want to know
more breakfasts problematic tasks
accomplished before you realize

Hard Enough

I pass the test just clear enough
as I was always telling myself
I could do more so why didn't I

but wait there's more self-doubt
to go around twice asking why
as if how to wasn't hard enough

adequate is never good enough
to go for nothing doing nothing
gained is a foothold to continue

Life Force

a great life ends all done
goodbye friend thank you
for your generous sharing
wisdom insight inspiration
fun when all else serious

what I too am waiting for
but in the meantime work
know the world needs us
life force demands action
for love peace justice joy

Letting Go

let go of personal concerns
present net we hardly notice
cruel rider relentless spurs

let go what you have to do
will happen when you do it
future be here soon enough

read a book see a play really
listen to music take a walk
you need a break then work

work not personal but holy
you need it to feel complete
soul force precious within

Another Time

I have an enormous amount to say
I could start anywhere
built up inside for decades
have I forgotten something
reminds me of another time
another story significant to me
meanwhile the present
continues to accumulate

An Action

inside these clothes
inside this skin
not more real
but equally
these limbs
disposed in space
at rest
thinking
feeling
existing
as an action

Separate Preparations

bare witness if you must my shallow
shame on separate preparations for
further construction our future past
devolves into programmed childhood
expectations and adolescent dreams

move on if you can at least protest
unpaid-for crimes and adventurism
as if inevitable you choose yourself
eager yapping caged in your own
predictable unfolding made-up myth

One Eye

I can't keep doing this winging it
by which I mean I can and will
I still have one eye one arm enough
for almost everything I want to do
imagining myself timeless I am not

others make their poems perfect I
write fast whatever comes is what
I am thinking attentive to the day
here everywhere now whenever
whatever it is requires to be said

Beats

in the dream the measure may
not have the right number of beats
that's how you know you're dreaming

Counterpoint

what does reading do is it play
solitary or together structures
time something else happens
to counterpoint the everyday

this contrast what's required
to refresh sensations stasis
fades them into background
as if anything mattered more

Keeping Track

nothing is too obscure
that could be said without calling down
thunderbolts
algorhythms
keeping track of your every move
but not telling unless
you are prepared to pay who's counting
words worth nothing anymore
say anything you are prepared to defend

Come Quickly

oxen more sure-footed than horses for example
intrudes welcome distraction from unknowing
browse as the light finds its way soaks the sky

answers come quickly questions denatured by
habit media inadequate brain practical situation
writing on water gone before actually engaged

what I am striving to think about too large too
everything to say guide action thought is act
when you do what you mean take being for real

Not Right

no one is saved
but by particular circumstance
you may be out of the way
for a little longer

personally thankful
humanly ashamed
helplessly going along
heart broken forever whole

until the end
this manifestation
reabsorbed into the soil
having done what I can

I wish it were more
cry out to what heaven
this is not right
this is not what we are

only the actual one on one
under the waxing moon
lives the moment
passing into eternity

Used to It

get used to it well you do
but don't give in completely
nibbled away losing grip
wisteria not budding pink
lady feeble don't give up
something can be done or
not if anyone knows better