एनी season

again and again
wind pushes it in

and people get very
very quiet

streets and windowsills
enjoyed by other animals

the gods reach
and talk in leaves

shimmering and clacking,
loud as bracelets

ओं अ कुछ

I am not gifted enough to hear
music
when it isn't there

but one cool gold note
on a thick evening
can lick your neck -

then you're spinning
and unpinning
your hair

Cotton

I.

I've seen you old man,
fight a squirrel for a nut,

Your face baked hard,
a gnarled tree knot,

Hair white as acid spit.
You specialize in dice,

Drink, and coveralls. You
can catch the King

Of Snakes by the bend
at his neck, uncurling

Sleek stripes at the feet
of us grandchildren.

The way your fist uncurled
onto the Mayor's face.


II.

In that house of skins,
watched by the glass

Eyes of game, trophies
of your cruelty,

Your plow-wide back
scoops over thawed

Coleslaw and venison.
Your hateful wish came true.

Your children only call you
asshole. But my eye has

Bored and stopped.



(2001, unrevised, unrevisited)

On My Way...

On My Way..

Pillow Talk

So many dreams
lost on eyelashes,

Stuck-branch molasses,
a mile long stripe -

Pothole, you're close
enough to thumb,

Sweet black gum - morning
makeup on the tongue.

On My Way