Author: G H

counterfeit commercials /
blink in each house /
before the families arrive /

what is held could be more /
love is across another border /
the offers are real /
the purchases change colour the next day /
an old weathered road grey /
room temperature ground beef from christmas /
that thing in the corner /
no one talks about /

summer in every scene /
dripping its yellow /
on the tight smiling heads /
laughing and screaming at the same time /

and someday, space everywhere /
even this chair /
creaking in geological time /
heard if you pause for a few millennia /

time is a loop around our waists /
believing we can see it /
like a loose leash /
tugging its obedience forward /

that is why everyone should carry a knife /
for self-defense against the abstract /

what is new /
has been newer /
we can learn a little /
from Pound’s takeout menu /
time is so-so /
it’s the scaffolding outside the building /
that lasts /

pick a word, any word /
to end the species /
it won’t be a bomb /
it will be a phrase /
tearing off and folding up /
all the drywall /

it’s not a mistake /
it’s the truth being a little coy /
lifting up a penciled eyebrow /
making us feel /
like we’re part of the longer conversation /
for an instant

here you are /
same sun leaning over the horizon /
that stuck in the throat /
30 years ago /

same sun /
spying without cover /
whose timing is questionable /
striking the wet eye /
stunning the cadence of the oath /

same sun /
sleeping for another world /
maddening the children to run out at noon /
and embrace your blinding wares /

same sun /
swimming in the broken water /
of the river unnamed /

same sun /
god to infants /
yet uncommitted to speak /
our transparent patterns /

same sun /
quiet from this distance /
but bellowing in its own /
neighbourhood /

same sun /
opening my chest /
with just a hint /
of its brow /
pulling years forward /
with a simmering gravity

I’ve never tried counting /
and not stopping /
maybe today /
and not sleep until done /
catch the 113 along the way /
to 3 inches of curb /
tearing our communities apart /
with a right angle /
love is a want /
of not having to count /
pushing everyone else off /
the bridge /
before the stores open /
refuse cliches for /
the quickest exile /
the measure of success /
is space /
clear and unobstructed /
no generations to block the view /
where dull is a quality of light /
with its own edge /
to tip over /
the welcome home /
any room is a bedroom /
for the skilled few /
yelling over the river

soundless, only on paper /
this fist blossoms at night /
unfolding in deep sleep /
counting five of everything /

losing all men may help /
stop that scraping sound /
that is the world /

it’s easier to get lost everywhere /
than open a mouth to the draft /

death is the easy part /
tell the children before bed /
it’s an introduction to time /
and how many definitions there are /
like snow to the Inuit, only dirtier /

leave the lawns alone /
so the cracks can grow /
and all those original world /
whispers can return /
not the same always again /
for now corpses in photos only /

the moon refuses to return /
leaving a blanket over our heads /
accidents for every family outing /
traffic is the new weather /

come back pale mistress /
all the plates are broken and /
people have forgotten how to feed themselves /
divining their fortunes in roadside puddles /
waiting for the wiggle of tideless tadpoles /
to brush forward the future /
quick and contained as a drive-thru window

wood screw #8 x 2″ /
that’s the thing /
the thing is in all ways the thing /
little can be done to change that /
all the ascending flights barely nudge it /
it’s there resting in the long grass /
it’s there sinking to the floor of the harbour /
it’s there circling our planet /
in the first tug of gravity /
the thing bends down the years of christmas cards /
the thing tripped the feet /
as they came down from the mount /
the thing rests in our veins /
inching towards that heart felt object

don’t die in the backseat of a car /
the view is limited /
no one feels like an adult /
in the back /
missing out on the chunk of the conversation /

though it is a comfortable place /
for a final rest /
nervous engine lulling one to sleep /
mumbling into the gap between the seats /
a last proclamation settling amongst /
the gum, dog hair and drive thru crumbs /

drive a car bigger than a coffin /
so it’s not obvious /
spreading familiar ashes /
through the exhaust pipe /

paint over the license plates /
with flat black /
that’ll absorb all the vigil glow /
no more reflections pretending /
to be movements or adjustments /
by the vehicle sheen /

the hazards click in off time /
to the tick of traffic /
warning of the snag /
under the cross walk

oh, oh, I /
you head away /
sun over today /
three, three, threes /
its way into mere /
never needed much /
‘cept imperial weight /
handed me down /
though rarely touched /
that is inherit /
muck over /
past battles ironed out /
with holidays careful /
scissors in pocket run /
away til sewn shut /
mouth or hole same /
face lifts the mirror silver /
drains the sewer out /
until it shines blind /
still see silver on wrists /
ankles thinnest bits of body /
grabbing ground earth /
1600 kilometres too slow /
we are here here heRE hERE HERE /
a thumb on the tongue /

it was always an idea that undid him /

better to remember /
the next mother /
death be an amusement park /
painted face wiped away /
after 6pm /
long lines for the dark mouth /
blood in the rainbow /
drying a thinner shade /
cracking the blessed arc

time for the universal weapon /
not the growing frost of the freezer /
nor the disconnected power line /
snaking in the breeze /

it’s a quiet day for the jury /
setting up croquet hoops in the park /

this weapon was born small /
yelling more than breathing /
soft fists always there growing /
and something just less than /
a sun firing in the chest /

birds hatch everyday without name /
I can’t afford not to be seen /
handprints on glass when waking /
outside and inside /
right where last night’s moon /
still holds true for now /

we’ve been promised x-ray machines in the streets /
for years now but simple addition /
remains impenetrable /
stuffing the children’s backpacks /
with a sweet formula /
coating their mouths till the last yawn

one organ too many /
and the body tips over /
digestive or filtering /
pulmonary or reproductive /
a border along the sternum /
keeps the sides equal in all discussions /

turn on the lights with two hands /
so both limbs benefit from unexpected shocks /
swearing with a hand in the heart /
massaging the insides of its jittery walls /

if god were made of blood /
he could swim everywhere at once /
we know no one well /
well enough to say goodbye /
before we meet /

the subject is moving away /
to another century /
where matter is closer to the mouth /

I could say so but it’s not quite dawn /
and the crows are too quiet /
theirs is the punctuation to follow /
leading kingdoms to ruin or commemoration /

the citizens have no arms /
that was an early calculation by council /
to control noise complaints and lost exotic pets /
less limb chewing and fist waving /

I will die /
pulling the desk closer each day /
stationary rolls everywhere /
clanging through the heating vents /

everything we make never stops /
drawn towards that bed /
of countless atoms /
to rest finally in fitful sleep /
and a hand draining in the air

lead always with blood /
butcher, reporter, priest /
teacher, accountant, puppeteer /
candidate, mediator, second line dancer /

everyone can see blood /
even when there is none /
it’s the first option /
in any unknown /

a last party glove for the hand /
glowing across closed eyelids /
ready to dominate the discussion /
standard colour for boardrooms /

cardinals are easy targets /
at the fall fair midway /
poking hats attracting pellets /
like fruit flies /

the realtor can’t talk /
without cutting the inside of their mouth /
spitting a predicable splatter /
on the upsold kitchen counter /

time to close, time to close /
ring the surgery room announcer /
5 litres will cover the stage perfectly /
right up to the lip of the audience /
carefully folded in the corners /
like a final notice envelope /
I have a heart and a half to spare /
should anyone trip on the aisle’s squish