Category: Uncategorized

that old creep again /
rubbing against the back of the sofa /
wearing a mouth-shaped hole /
in thin fabric /
hiding the cavity we paid for /

climbing up the slight slope /
of the lawn /
belly gliding along dew /
eyeing the clear picture window /
for some human colour /

whenever we wait /
we wait for the creep /
in the dentist’s office /
tooth pulsing to the beat of convenient music /
at the boarding gate /
breathing in one another’s air /
in traffic pointed homeward /
each vibrating each other /
above the long dark stare of asphalt /

there’s an itch in another room /
that the kids can’t pronounce /
scraping a dining table leg uneven /
tapping along while we swallow /
dragging food through us /
with a steady signature

better to be worst /
and see the future first /
grabbing the tail /
feeling the bend of the earth /
coming up quick behind /

what happens happened /
brand new is only a cardboard box /
all the guts are gone /
maybe a centennial penny /
to give it a curious rattle /
and fresh nostalgia /
with a soft coating of irony /
for tiny teeth /
each argument gets a silent laugh /

I’m meeting up with my ghost tomorrow /
to go over his itinerary /
pencil in the cancellations and collapsed venues /
update the playlist /
for a 12-month winter /
layering the sites /
with a final sameness

there’s little traffic /
left to stand in /
the only breeze is a draft /
puffing over the double door /
pin wheel limbs drive /
the emptied air /
yawing until sleep /
closes the day /
build a building /
only for the roof /
sun, the last eye /
to blink /
there be a lonely language /
yet elbows still /
on the table /
agitating the uneven top /
concerned for the future /
before the future /
the one now sawing through formica /
organizing a blood drive /
for its arm alone /
for the rest /
there were those uneven eyes /
that death nods over to the table /
a wink or a fit /
knowing the final questions /
are waiting patiently /
for matter or mind /
to dissolve first

recycle the cracks, creaks, cuts /

married between acts /

after the surgery, we slept /
drying our mouths /
with filtered air from yesterday /

the city has a plan in /
the time capsule from 1967 /
administrators have died /
with the secret in their molars /
clicking at night in code /
savouring the possibility of betrayal at their desks /
mouths too full with lunch box /
to scream out loud /

there is a pill /
on every WELCOME mat in the neighbourhood /
drops through the ceiling at dinner /
reappears in the morning /
polished by foggy dew /
ready for the children growing /

the CEO drives the school bus /
turning the wheel with soft elbows /
dictating memos to stop signs /
no right angle is too sharp /
seatbelts tucked in the glove compartment /
buckle up is a game for adults /

a 2-for-1 coupon at every stop /
two tongues for any occasion /

everyone leaves the sun eventually /
says the corner jesus /

lend me your eye for the beast /
it has difficulty reading the street signs /
sliding under its haunches

lonely survivor /
eating glitter /
out of scattered handbags /
turning over rocks /
looking for electricity /

what was a private night /
is now every distant thing /
sweating into the ear /

though the candle bends /
towards the open door /
your mother missed the planet /
she won’t be there /
to tell you all this is yours /

breathing in the smoke /
rather than singing aloud /
the whole cake is a slice /
wedging the night door open

ignorance is the new black /
worn proudly at all occasions /
bedazzler aiming glints /
at our throats /
if you can’t win the argument /
twist the key in the bulldozer /
foreheads sink softly into /
the Hudson shore /

a country doesn’t know its people /
pours plastic soldiers in the stead /
to replace pillars on the highest buildings /
fresh plastic has a perfect complexion /
smiling melted into place /

I recall dressing a deer /
when I was younger /
strung up in the garage /
white swirls of fat /
under peeled skin /
head tilted upwards /
imploring its god perhaps /

that was the most reduced animal I have seen /
until now /
hung up by our own fist /
skinned early at each rally /
draining even whiter /
make it new never /
letting death be boring /
the next species /
crawls around our shadow /
ignoring the capital /
being brushed away

the roads are cracking /
breaking with a sharp snap /
like styrofoam /
the school buses are devoured /
by widening pits /
the holes are healthy /
growing greater every day /

here come the pliable crowds /
taking selfies with the yawning holes /
the dark craters are really tending upwards /

tomorrow, the holes will pull closer to one another /
until there is only one hole /
covering each country /

no man to man the borders /
citizens blinking at the bottom /
of lightlessness /

the holes cease at the shores /
too many humans can swim, unfortunately /

from the ISS /
the earth is now black and blue and settled /
the shouts in the holes /
only a descending murmur /
quietening each day

I am the son of none /
grave landscape shape by /
motherboards, hard drives and silken soot /
a dull christmas every day /

don’t miss my heart /
or other misc organs /
ballooning more each day /
floating in the sharp blue ozone /
above colourful territorial flags /
directing the parade route to boxcar barracks /
in alternating shades of red and green /
to match the single-issued t-shirts /
and towering promotional posters /

I thought I found a god /
at a picnic table /
the one that originally formed /
all this questionable matter /
then receded /
back for closing night ceremonies /
and finally, a name tag /
to place the face in a /
sea of old parts /

my head is elsewhere /
my liver is in the bin /
holding the other trash down /
we are new everyday /
leaving a long line of bodies /
wrapped in yesterday’s fumes

count our holes /
seven at last inventory /
want another on the birthday? /
one more way to drain the world /

not the big one /
that one won’t go away today /
but soon enough /

the smaller one /
reinforcing its borders daily /
glitter and police tape marking /
trees, property lines and morning address /

give more holes to those in need /
the light and colour /
should leave for everyone equally /
less for all /
pulling the day down /
through the knots /
in the floor boards

death always, everywhere /
christmas toys, lean new buildings /
pour over coffee with milk alternative /
300 thread counted sheets /
sharp colours on a child’s helmet /
refined print on a privacy agreement /
flickering streetlights /
reinforced glass on the toll booth /
dreamless sleep under an electric blanket /
radiating constellations on the ceiling /
compass needle digging into the map /

directions for another earth /
might turn the day /

death, your smile is on every greeting card /
tucked into the fold /
broadening as the crease weakens with each display and remember /

your dress is neatly tailored /
revealing the pinched borders /
of our nations /
fumbling under your skirt /

death, be that first sip of water /
cracking the lips /
indistinguishable from the last cool /
evaporating drops of rain /
we lie under