I’m reading contemporary poems
almost convinced to clean up
my act, grammatically
when when suddenly me
dawns on
whats’ that mean: Anyway?

we have made
the world
our own safari
for animals here
respect two
over one
as even the Queen
(the most volatile
piece)
can be overtaken
by simple pawns
who in eighty years
or so
accomplish
a checkmate, perhaps

america is big
in the way that a clean
table has room for more
food, dishes, cats
it is on the cusp
of climactic change
the big breastplate
of modern invention
and is frightening
for its standard of living
is photographable
not a negative
outlook with such nice
weather and dreams and objects
i can roam free in this country
people are paid
to watch the bad guys
forest rangers and cops
all twisted clutching holsters
selfless like jedi force
making sure the people can
migrate from job to home to leisure
this country is flammable smokey
says ten thousand matches a tree
this country is waiting
not wanting but waiting
for missiles to deploy
shields are down
captain

i hold the
exploratory nature of youth

when in the cradle of Wisconsin’s winter
we tromped through snow
lost in miles of
purple and fog
and only we were touched
by the blight of frost
before the next birth of spring

intuition-
a connection to cosmic understanding,
or the last rational part of our brains
remaining unsnared by emotional involvement?

ones proximity
to the ocean
determines the level
of polarization of colors
of houses
and flora
but even those closest
are not exempt
from the blanket
that covers us all
two parts money
three parts exhaust

if in a dream
I am speaking
to a coliseum
and in addressing
the crowd
I lean forward
and feel a wetness
on my cheek
a spot of drool
from the corner of my mouth
white spots
on blue the pillows
I have no excuse
lazy lips, maybe
of course, my big mouth
but when your face
in sleep
searches for the back of my neck
you are awaken
and promptly grossed
out

the essensial thing
of this love
is that I don't want
harm to come to you
no car wrecks
no stubbed toes
even paper cuts
my investment
is a protective one
for you are tough
but delicate
(as the body is delicate)
and though you are similar
to other people
(as most people are)
you are mine
and I yours
because we decided it so
and when you say
"hold my paw"
and take my hand in yours
it only affirms
that we are but temporal
creatures in this place
and we are fortunate
to have found
each other
so early on

I live
in an artificial house
with bleach
in the water
and plastic
on the sandwiches
the cats like the
plastic wrap they
eat it
not so much
to ingest it but
teethe on it
as they purr

the lights
are always on
landlord
foots the bill

loneliness
is the lengthening shadows
in the nearing P.M.
the stillness indoors
as the world bustles on
the sounding of a neighbors
wind chimes
-when no song sings for me-
loneliness is knowing
that summer always
gives way to fall
the phone will ring
for strangers in this house
even the grass in this yard
will bend under the feet
of children
who never new
my name

perhaps
Joshu
had it right
the world
his view-
Mara.
the moment
its passing is fathomed
every action
emotion
spin of the stars
are as good
as gone