I count money with my toes /
because one is missing /
always rounding down /
so much is odd, nine places nicely /
dropping hailstones on stove elements /
there’s almost a scream sounds like /
a warm sizzle inflating a balloon /
your own skin burning comfortably /
in the deep nights of February /
a crackling beacon on the toboggan hill /
drawing the curious to a melted circle of broiled grass /
the fixed pupil on a snowy orb
thank you for the effort /
and comforting sparks /
from bone on bone /
the city’s blinking is dazzling at night /
sharp electric jabs emphasize the matter /
of all that unfolds below /
from crease to crevice /
where stars are visible /
and darkness, a place unto its own /
like inserting an arm into a long, empty paper bag /
the dirt keeps red after the sun ends /
humming with distant exploit /
Tantalus burying himself /
in the rich soil /
echoing with a mouth /
full of sod /
the final product as /
distant as a satellite
casual swill means type, type, type /
don’t pause the interruption /
this one comes from an organ /
and when the next movement /
disturbs scenery /
lack it all shall we /
tru to form /
the press crushes the shoulder /
used to nudge /
one forwards to an unthinkable two
a tough lip to chew /
saying what was last year’s code /
errors out after the kids wander away /
trying to be a store display /
but the mannequins refuse to take their seats /
sing to the sac slouching like a question mark /
in the middle of the page /
no words for miles /
just the folding body closing up shop /
after all the stock runs out /
but still your laugh that doesn’t cut /
rather balms unraveled edges of this form /
we carry together across the unlit parking lot /
towards the faint burning glow that ends today
dead on dead /
spray them with sweat /
to make it seem more real /
never file down teeth /
they may prove useful /
in twisting a phrase /
the skull is mottled /
but not a pattern /
recognized on t-shirts /
firing a gun in a crowd /
misfires now /
manifestoes blink and pop in the bunker /
no need for page numbers /
on a flat surface /
driving cars into the reservoir /
who discovers an emptied space? /
we are the first /
to do the last /
wait long for your number to be called /
’cause the mike was unplugged /
with a slow series of summer trips /
down the ladder
project to the audience /
if the afterlife is a consideration /
scratch missives on /
the inside of a used jam jar /
if there is only one moment filling the day /
place the rebar precisely on the utility box /
direct currents into the hurricanic eye of the city square /
workers are saved without notice /
their pace interrupted but but /
the world is replaced, renewed /
the performance can continue for billions of walk-ons /
onto the next earth /
rising out of wildfire haze /
time to make count of the pebbles laying /
the bed of the kenogami /
every sound is a word
pointing at the painting /
first one properly lit /
the rich blue daubs /
poked above the canvas /
into a muted world where /
they had to be touched to be known
peeling the skin off daily /
it’s more of a way to /
force the world to /
wait at the door shuffling /
pre-emptive pain /
painting the room in a neutered colour /
gravel grey /
perhaps some sparkles /
standing in the eaves now /
after summer failed /
to ignite /
all smoke, no plot /
to see us through the aisle /
sometimes the pain is calming /
a low hum spreading the body /
over the floor /
a hammer as a musical instrument /
pressing unlikes into a faint melody /
only millimetres above ground /
dissolving feet into /
prehistoric glitter /
that started the first fires /
terror and awe on a late /
paleolithic Sunday afternoon /
how how do we make this world now /
from the nothing so many have?
ditto on the ditty /
jump into the low gleam pool /
below the chlorinated fizz are /
concrete barriers tipped over /
and rebar poking through like rusted ribs /
swimming from the straight lane /
is folded over centuries /
measuring the reinforced door stumbles at time /
take it to class /
and identify for all /
who are the wedge /
driven into lightless cracks /
scraping up to the dollar store /
there’s the tag
y write /
when so much is within reach /
b convenient /
staple everything together /
with a one-finger prick /
rain finally /
all those drops /
ready to be counted /
by thee god amongst us /
9:12 am /
drink first /
push all else off the planet /
the halo begins to flicker and crackle /
I would relish crying /
force old air out into the street /
all worn belongings spread across the lawn /
soaking today’s rain