you knew me on that high hill

for arti boyd

you knew me on that high hill
shoulders back, no blood spilt
moving 'cross the great lawn with the fawn's free will
painting on the windows, singing on the sills

you knew me with young bunny feet
bouncing ears, tutu heat
crown of jewels, plattered cheese
watercolor recipes

remember me like that wet july, like tattoed sheep
with your cardboard cutouts three layers deep
with the fireflies' horny streaks
free as cartwheels, fireworks and
borrowed sheets

rolly polly

rolly polly won't you show me what I'm worth?
this pitch fork and shovel are bound for trouble
they've lost the earth
the moon is a poster child
bare boned and bravely wild
can't take her to church
we bundle our sage and thyme
pour the milk, light the fire
where sadness lurks

i traded my lover, friends and brothers
for thorns and chirps
exposed my secrets
told you you could keep it
where it hurts

this disaster has lead to laughter
and peace of mind is the torn flag I'm after
the golden chime of an untouched chapter
pull your soul down from off the rafters!

rolly polly she kindly told me what she's heard
she said the strongest empires, crowns and high childs
depend on dirt
the jetplanes and runaways
can't survive on words
we'll invite this pile up,
this car wreck, and sour luck
until we all take turns

321

3, 2, 1
ready or not 'cause here i come
but you always run the same
you say things are slow to change

water finds rock
pushes itself over top
but you always flow the same
you say things are slow to change

but the torch is coming
the kingdom's crumbling
the strings are humming
the soldiers summoned
and they all know your name

the catcher's fumbling
the truth is stumbling
the plates are rumbling
the cards are tumbling
won't you help us to change

surge and swell
align your forces with the rhythm
of these yells
this hobo heart is deep
keep its begging bowl of the streets

exotic birds

solitude is a blessing
solitude is a curse
a relief from noise and static
a blank canvas to make things worse

kiss me and silence these words
the angels and the demons
are on my swing set taking turns

miss me
the distance pulls and burns
the rainstorm of my memory
blocks the sun and churns


so this is how we learn
neglect to wash your soul,
you grow a victim to earth's germs

so this is how we learn!
the capture and release
of exotic birds

here i walk alone

sidewalk sidewalk
pavement pavement
whiskey for your entertainment
porcelain fists and
false engagements
here i walk alone

gutter trash and moldy basements
titties for your entertainment
shun me stone me
for my placement
here i walk alone
here i walk alone

fly me home
fly me home
'cause here i walk alone

broken brass
and sour emplacement
blood baths for your entertainment
sugar stack sacks
those who claim it
here i walk alone

fly me home
fly me home
here i walk alone

taking off

i loved the world
but the bridge is broken
frosted glass
and shiney tokens
marbled halls
feathers molten
gears and bolts
comfort chosen

comfort in the ticket
that dangles from that line
that line that you ink out
and methodically plot the time

comfort in the widget
that sensually pours
your wine
that wine that you swallow
and feel you're in your prime

i'm taking off
i've seen it all
the fireworks,
the outlet malls
this tiny cell,
is six feet tall
the net we've built
calls for fall

jet lagged

jet lagged
peanut ledge
plants are wilted
corn in fridge

sun's rising down
moon's setting up
we're long past young
but not grown up

metro card
mustard square
city noise
no one there

eye contact
haunting, rare
no harm yet
but be prepared

take me take me
take me there
son of osiris
union square

day by day
wear and tear
in the darkness
nails and hair

more than enough
swap and share
feeble, wicked, wicker chair
doctors playing truth or dare
cockled mouths
froth and swear