in the morning I smothered
her body so the blood
pressure could be taken
stress tremoring
quakes her fading
coat pulsing a shimmer
her fretting there and back
exhalations gone metronomic
the results
oil off asphalt
snow spread runs the soil
I still tell anything left
of her what it means,
I’m running out of notes now
to call her back with
Adam Driver said he’s got a guy
On round rocks dressed by shallow water, a loose tux like a break from an awards show
I asked why, waving at everything in the night
He said his ascendant is conjunct my moon
jupiter on my sun
Made a gesture like being fed up, but from another country
I said – But he should be
He said – I’ve got it
I said – It needs to be
He said – I got it
I said why is this an ocean
Of round rocks and little water
He said the drop off is ahead
And danced like Farmer Hoggett healing the hero
tell me my name now, new words after abrasion, rape, a cursive, ascender, tell me my name
the old a spent sigil, spool emptied, body outlined by buttons, a tree for the bog, sphagnum and histosol
kept for good. tell me my name Jack-in-the-green, a visit and say so, say so my name, anam cara, smearing my sinews, above us white eyes and stitch me to earth, repairing my measures
say so I know, woven and healing.
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Setting out at night to traverse an expansive natural area, an owl lands on my right shoulder. I fret its injury, its face under its wing. My brother holds it in place but inspection says it’s likely fine.
Leaving, careful of the owl, its feathers on my face, the dry red earth graphing up the night skies. I worry for its wellness, worry about its tamelessness, wonder at its affinity for me. Then the feathers turn to fur, it changes then and is a sea otter.
A small, lit cabin is on the right nearby. I stop for water and rest, check the animal. An older couple welcomes us in. The break is just minutes. I walk us back out, navigate perpetuating terrain. None of it easy; the balance, my shoulder, the animal’s need. We reach the other end whole, and familiar.
Skeleton of a lamb, but with wings, and during The Troubles.
A bombed high-school at night with a hole in its side; we rebel into enemies. One of us, outnumbered in a room, and too few reinforcements rush by.
At the window exit, the ossein lamb. Its rib-wrungs and bleached skull wag, motions for a boost.
Smiling at me, it flies out, bone wings dispel the devils.
On the grass expanse, so few of us now, but her resurrection, and her short voyage.
Today I rested on the open side;
a mirror underneath on red cloth,
an animal trinket for your found way.
In the southwest corner a pinned picture—
water cranes, a doubling moon,
my renewal of night flowers and laid ribbons,
no word now.
Think of how the town Juliet
was next to Romeo.
And the citizens thought:
that is too precious.
So Romeo became Romeoville,
and Juliet is Joliet.
Think of how we can’t stand
anything we can feel.
olden instructional films
and the correct order
– for introducing everyone
– opening rolls to butter
– resting your not-in-use knife
– greeting your date’s clothing
– zig zag eating vs. continental
– separate the sediment by pour
– never cover the gun arm
one fine thing for another
In the red clay, I scoop a low grave, roll into it, rust across white cloth. The lion pawing, howls to get back out. It drags me by the dress-neck, summons fire and a circle of ancestors to minister a liquid. Nothing takes.
A teacher explains I’m just in a bad etheric neighborhood, no need to stay. The lion manages me across its back, walks us out of the landscape. It drags me to a fountain chiseled from quartz, leaves me there, licks at my limbs.
At which point the water matters, at which point the garden matters, who knows?
I beg my own root open, melt past fear with gold light.
In the waking, my dog declines, loses her weight, fur over bones and skin gone wonky. Jupiter squares my Moon, Neptune chokes it. I steadily leave myself. At the oil, spike, and rock shop, a reverend says he can see, shoves bloodroot at me, golden calcite, says why wait.
Every dream is me
standing over my body
breathing
get up, get up, get up.
1481hyperion 