education

i.
rubbing this dying
(-----)bird(-----)
i wished for
genies
who could sell me
a complete set (trading cards)
of imaginary
realities
ii.
from con(fess)ions
in hospital beds
with sticky fingers
and animal-ian parasites
doctors nod
in disapproval
iii.
(---)birds(---)
were a bad idea
just look at the name
foul—fowl—foul
like broken wings

routine (interrupted)

ringing telephones
start clichéd
poems I thought
until I was sitting here
drinking (bavarian brew)
listening to my favorite
song
and when it ended
the answering machine
played my fake voice
for you

(leave a message)

dear poem....

i wrote you from Indifference
in a truckstop
where I woulda got my ass beat
if anyone knew I was literate
so i wrote in tomato paste
and sugar water
like I was spelling
out french-fry ransom demands
and ive been living here
ever since

while you were wishing i was dead

I ran at tattered wall(s)
pray(ing) I could move (world)
but (i) didn’t
I fell inside ( )
and my fairy godmother
basted then roasted me alive

IM (instant messenger)

“//I tried to tell you
     \\> (I don’t love you anymore) <// *bashful*
but my computer froze
               
     _     _     _

so I forgot---
     and now I don’t (kiss) you *wink*

any@differently.com”

Salva(Ic)

in the cold
I folded the
makeshift skin
btween left forefinger and/
pinky (absent of color)
until a small tent
erected bone(ified)
support
to house
flesh dwelling
tenants

cradle

spent nights

in hollowed corners

from outside worlds

counting woven afghan rings

tallying breaths

marked by words dribbling

from each kiss

holding back from

seeing you

(into) fine hair

lashes skin

through tangibility

into each package of (the) possible

not (small) like valentines chocolates

a crate, or coffin holding

endless thoughts

of ends and beginnings

continuing or

stalling for that one last

youth

i heard happiness (taste)d saltine crackers

so you crumbled them up

placed them in (my) pocket

and decided to save (a few)

black is the new Light

extinguishes
the world looks
black save frantic
firefly spasms
the darkest we’ve felt
in as long as…
memory permits
ancestral tales sidle up
to warm ancient use(s)
on burning flame
to shed light on the vastness
on this paperbox
street full of hollow skulls
distance becomes an
ice river ‘de(struct)ure(ion)’
this is written for the first time
with ink and (or)
failing light