Of Savoyards, Single and Alone
Stand alone in this far field of mustard
away from the city of old bowlers,
behind the Douglas fir where
I've thrown my allegiance.
A failed jetty, my creation,
sits half sunk in the far harbor.
I should have been a zebra mussel, unalterable
genetically, unwittingly smothering the bottom feeders.
But the continued rush of a river reversed
is too much.
This consistent electric light, moths unlanguid,
small laces floating at the window, burnt Colombian on my lips,
those were my newspaper days. The regrettable
black film left fingerprints on the dinnerware.
What is a city, utopian mapping on the ceiling?
I am the city,
and there are flutes, and paid men.
What to expect? A city, designed, crumbles.
London Bridge is safe and sound.
Not unlike the vibrant dead who cross her,
Not unlike the victory tower meant to be an arch.
But a leaf, hoar frosted over, and the muskrats
busy with the business of winter. And yet, I cannot, have not
a mention of myself, I've no business here,
no passports, I never ponder
cycles responsible for the ascended
automatic resting on my forehead.
What a beautiful pair!
Posted by: PetalsAndRice | 07/05/2007 at 14:42
And I like that pic of you in the hat. Too cute. Those red earrings are almost as cute as your smile (which is a little devious, what were you thinking about?!)
Posted by: PetalsAndRice | 07/05/2007 at 14:46
bad bad things
Posted by: EAU | 07/05/2007 at 14:55
I'm thinking some bad things myself right now - mostly about poetry.
It's a good poem, though. It surprises me.
Posted by: MIV | 08/05/2007 at 13:15
You're pretty.
Posted by: D. Shit | 08/05/2007 at 17:11
You're dangerous.
Posted by: EAU | 08/05/2007 at 17:55
Is that another one of your young men? He looks like he could eat you whole. You look like you wouldn't bat an eye.
When you coming to work here?
Posted by: VV | 08/05/2007 at 18:10
You look like a pair of grifters, some kind of Bonnie & Clydes.
I like the poem for its intensity. There's not enough intensity in the world, Eli. You better turn it up.
Posted by: Indy 500 | 08/05/2007 at 18:53
We are deviants for sure. Debauched delighted delinquents. Yep.
Posted by: EAU | 08/05/2007 at 20:11
& god forgive me I'm so loopy on pain meds: VV: I'll be there in August to teach 2 workshops & move my stuff back to NO. Get ready, I'll have hate in my heart and love in my lips and we're gonna have a grand old time.
Posted by: EAU | 08/05/2007 at 20:13
Every day I learn a new word from you!
Posted by: Silver Fox | 09/05/2007 at 10:08
Are you a pair with that fellow?
Posted by: Speller | 11/05/2007 at 13:21
Can you hold the wind in your hand and make it eat tacos? Can you touch the tiny pulse of the hummingbird and convert it into insulin? Can you grab a moonbeam from the sky to swallow it like a pixie stick? Can you drink the wine of 1000 monks and never embarras yourself in church? Can you take a wild mustang and teach it how to wear nylons? Who can taste the sweet oil of the nightengale's breast and live to cage her? How do you muzzle a dog who barks out of its ass?!!
Posted by: Eliza. | 11/05/2007 at 15:56
How do you sniff a rainbow and never wipe your nose?
Posted by: MIV | 11/05/2007 at 17:43
The caged bird never sings.
Posted by: EAU | 12/05/2007 at 21:01
One flew over.
Posted by: ManInVan | 14/05/2007 at 01:02