the traveler

the present comes in fragments
traffic lights are stagnant

you've learned to pack lightly
no gems, no buckles, no stones

you've learned to watch your back
you've learned to walk alone
you use me as your base
use me as your throne

you've learned to hide your tracks
you've learned to mute your phone
then use me as your base
use me as your home

the wind grinds its teeth
the highway rarely speaks
unless you give it all of your money
expose the soft parts of your feet

traveler
you've gone about it all wrong
with the crack down the middle
that wordless song

cradled, stranded
cross roads
sore thumbs
heavy loads

flying hearts

our love has the limitations of a seating chart
a one way bridge, a closed after eleven park
we've lost that cartoon feeling
where the eyes make flying hearts
can't make a whole from the crooked fingers of its parts

and now for the loneliness

the plants are dying
there's mold on the bread
you've left your dirty dishes
and moved your bed into the shed

the demons are swarming
lights flashing red
angels slouched in the corner
halos fallen off their heads

and now for the loneliness

i didn't sign up for this
the long distance lines
the air mail kisses
the domestication of my school house blisses
te kettle's cracked, the drain pipe hisses

and now for the loneliness

PARADE OF TONGUES

I understand now
the furrow of the brow
the distribution of the weight
the ringing of the towel
the unexpected gem
lurking in the bowels
the tedious digestion
the horny lover's howl

The world is a parade of tongues
searching for their meaning
A midnight maid who's cut corners on her cleaning
A drooling baby frustrated with his teething
A paralyzed wife whose suitcase dreams of leaving

And I'm relaxing within the wounds of time
the gloves slip off and fade
I'm traveling alone
in the ripples of Eve's wake
To ask anything of this world
is the common man's mistake
So I've put out my begging bowl
and left it up to fate

The world is a parade of tongues
searching for their meaning
A midnight maid who's cut corners on her cleaning
A drooling baby frustraated with his teething
A paralyzed wife whose suitcase dreams of leaving

So when we meet again my friend
I'll wear the moment like a dress
and cup the soft shell of your ear
move my lips close and confess
that I've wanted the highest things
the bright lights and golden crests
but I've settled for the wealth of words
and must admit I am blessed!

not coming

i am not coming
the road withdraws its tongue
two separate cities
monitored by a shared sun

i'll sing in your direction
i'll contain my blood
you'll be happy on your island
until the time of flood

i'm retreating into the shadows
into the imprints of the rain
i've stepped foot across the border
and dropped letters from my name

i'm leaving, leaving, leaving again
rotting on the insides
running from the shame

soul opening heights

i wouldn't have made it this far without documentation
pressing the button, reliving the sensation
of your velvet lips and lack of frustrations
with the way of the world and its firm hesitations

i'm blooming in your hands - a spontaneous seed
shooting up from a fistful of dirt like a dandelion weed
the equation of my past life had neglected its needs
confused by its location, dwindling in speed

but i hear the strong call ringing in the halls
the vibrations build and tie their rhythm without pause
the spirits and the guides articulate their humble cause

i'm taken by your cyclone white
and where the light stuck in places
when you left my room that night
i'm mesmerized, watercolor eyed
from the brisk winds of your visitation
from your soul opening heights

paper cranes

you misunderstand the recipe for magic
has no measurements or hits
it is independent of binary patterns
pixel plotted screens or lists

you swipe the fruits from the stand,
chew up the bodies, spit out the pits
they shoot from your mouth
and shrivel up on the pavement

i won't approach it like this
beer in the bed, toxic fits
the overnight leap to justify the twitch
neglecting the soul to flip the instant switch

i know even paper cranes hit and miss
their fragile frames, dodging risk
they've filled the bowl, they've beat the wisk
but you are my healing kit

unveil the chorus

walk to the end of the dock
with your cut off jeans and fishing rod
the high high waters, the tree branch nod
bait the hook, listen for god

i've got a place where we can talk
under the bridge deep in the fog
a quiet place where the city won't bother
a cushioned nook, a welcoming log

it's time to unleash the horses
let the engines in your chest
rev their insides like porsches
these low to the ground operations
have worn out and bored us
untangle the melodies, unveil the chorus!