losers, two times over

everyone here is a loser
two times over

first, we were brought here
shadow bodies, seeking
a better deal
in the light that
treads the lower road

second,
the birth that maimed us
is under no obligation
to bring us back

we will go, weeping
and laughing
madly
into the abyss
from which we were born
the light, gently guiding our way
coming from our eyes
our hearts

Blackbird Baking Company

painting of blackbird glaring
at bright green wall
red-tip wing, open-mouthed
squawking
at the techno playing here

the little bakery
named Blackbird
has a happy hour before closing
I buy a tiny cheese and potato pie
for half price, not realizing
how rich it will be

an orange print poster
#104 of a set of 150
from a 2008 indie-rock concert
crows flocking
onto white shadow branches
eerie and comforting

the young women
behind the counter
talk about dates they've had
dates they'd like to have
and jobs other than the one
they have

I am stuffed and think
I have a stomach-ache
I start thinking
about where I'd like to go
for dinner

Made in His image

If you close your eyes
Who are you then
If you press your finger
Against the point of a pin
Are you not
The tiny, invasive pain
And if she kisses
Your neck
Your ear
Are you not
The certainty
She will
Leave you
Again
Whatever we see
Whatever we think
In the end
In the now
We are completely
It

tall table

can't keep concentrate
focus notice nothing
of her hand down her
hair here
with no desire
for awareness
of anything unusual
except for the insubstantiality
of coffee
and the tall table
legs dangling
from my tall stool

practical matters

practical matters
like obtaining a bagel
on a Tuesday morning
Asiago, toasted
with sundried tomato schmear
the artist know as "Lorde"
on the overhead
a diet Coke
a Newbery book
a day ahead
that starts with sustenance
with feeding Self
brother body, fed as well

polarity

polarity
implies one --
a see-saw
with the crazed and compassionate
on one side
the pent-up and polished
with clammy hands
on the other

it really is one
light and shadow
two sides
of one
paradox

and it's fun
this game they play
the worlds in the balance

at least one side
thinks it's fun

and at least
the other,
slick in their
suits of implications
and innuendo
are getting some
exercise
are getting their stale garments
in the fresh air