though what i say
adds nothing
to the mystery
of love,
these fetters
of unattempted life
imply great passion,-
or perhaps
you are too full
of feckless energy
to be interested in me.
would that this poetry
free the paths of ecstasy;
but these walls of luxury
immure my deepest sigh:
though i long to be with you,
you are nowhere by.
Her loping gait, the tail’s rhapsody.
Her round moon eyes, gem gold.
The room reeked
of smoke and beer and sweat.
I hauled the window open.
The ribbon of a breeze
fluttered on my cheek.
It would rain soon.
The world outside
wouldn't be mine
for at least a few more hours.
I went back to bed,
flicked through books,
smoked cigarettes,
trawled the internet:
my mind a waiting room
where thoughts and fantasies
wandered in and out.
This is her world-
and I have to get out of it.
The morning coffee wasn’t much.
It made me think of her.
I peered onto the street.
Does she think of me ?
Sheets of rain divided
all the objects from themselves:
the trees the cars the houses
stood without a function.
I pictured her.
Her life was over.
She would be forgotten:-
that was her punishment.
But her crime, its half-life,
would go on living.
Poisoning the lives
of her victims.
Leaving each to subsist
upon a ruined life.
Some take root again,
most wither.
To live in hope is foolish,
sayeth the foolish-wise.
Yet happiness may often rise
within the most infernal element.
If a meaningless desire should trouble you, discard it. Let Cynthia help you. Her thick black hair tied back. Surely she will help you. She must make it right. We are going down into the place where we are afraid to go. Hold my hand, I feel you tremble so. Were you with me late last night, when the man with the repellent laugh cornered you and insisted you attend his seminar entitled the vague beginnings of human life? Below my taste, I must say. But each to each, and fair, comes this right willingness to bear, to bend, some call it foolishness. But the silver tines of lust, are bent for her benefit, she will swallow you alive, although you are emmoiled by prophecy.
I dearly hope, one by one, you will perceive the chief failings of the ministry; its deliberate and outmoded law. Poignant moment for the guests who, by this revelation were, for the first time, unburdened and their lives were found sufficient. Let no one boast they live alone. We are all, each to each and every one, grim survivalists, who have it in for one another. Give to me, yes, but also, stay out of my way. There was sawdust in her hair, when she came past. I wonder what circumstance put it there. Words often sound like they should be put somewhere else.
He pressed hard
three fingers
on my breast.
He found a lump.
He searched for other signs,
but found none. He looked up.
He seemed surprised
at my calmness, for any sign
he found was proof
the cancer had spread.
However, as he went
he smiled for my benefit.
I smiled back. I did not want
to make him anxious.
The doctor stopped.
His arms dropped.
He cocked his head
a little to the door.
I looked down at the floor,
then out at the street:
the rain-whipped branches
of the winter trees
swaying in the evening breeze.
A street lamp flickered green and orange…
Would you wait a minute please?
I must consult a colleague.
When the other doctor entered
she walked straight up to me
clutched my shoulder,
put her fingers on my breast
and pressed.
She paused a second.
It seemed colder when she moved
away to join the other doctor
in the corridor.