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