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I knew the place for seven years.

I knew how the sun skipped past where the grass gnawed at the pavement
How it flowed through the valley to the north.
I followed the stream both ways
East to fantastic villages
West to borders that would disappear
And climbed into manmade mouths.

I knew every shade of almond, honey, and red velvet
How they slid along the boughs of the evergreens.
I bathed in their perfume again and again
The burning of sap
The mingling of dust.

I knew how the buildings shivered in the night.
Because fields of coyote dens lay between the nerves and the heart.
I knew they would be fine if no one tucked them in for bed.
Because headlights murmured like the sunset as they fell asleep.


Halfway through the seventh year
It snowed for the second time.


I walked out to white plains.

And turned to cold, black windows--
Nets to catch the midday sun.

And ignored the howling--
The gray veil that sheared away the city and the streets.

I thought I was alone.

I thought I was alone.
Because the sun’s footfalls were smothered by the wind.

I thought I heard the yearning of the mountains
And I let their moans guide me back to sleep.
EMP
Is it about aesthetics?
Is it about tastes and smells and sights and sounds and textures?
I think it’s about silence.


Or something like it.

Something mundane.
Like Frost on the window pane.
          


Or something personal.


Looking up from your reflection at another peering face
And tripping
over their eyes
And smiling and still smiling

I say “sorry” to you.
Feel sorry for you.
Keep saying sorry to me / Until I can remove myself from the moment.

Tangible-intangible heat on my lap
Please tell me it’s the chattering of your teeth
Or nails clawing denim

Is this for me or for you?
For now I’ve already let go.
But I can’t store every habit.
Like counting the steps outside.
Like bleaching your hair white—
Not trying anything at all.

I missed you.
But I won’t miss you.
Your charge hangs in the air.

Don’t miss me.


You won’t miss me.

I’ll still be standing there.
I wake up in the dark
To sand in my mouth and the sound of a million limping limbs
Scales brushing against my belly and the nape of my neck
A careless kick sends me back to sleep

I pry my eyes apart.
Something is different. Something reveals endless echoes of arms and legs.
White.         Sunlight            Ripping through the darkness.
And even though it hurts—makes my stomach curl up and my eyes drip till they’re dry
I can’t feel it.
But the sand burns until

I blink

And hear the shore drown beneath the tide.

I blink

And hear feathers clamber to the sand.

I blink

And hear eyes watch the world shake.

They blink.

And I move.

Waves toss light along my shell as they curl into themselves
Begging me to sprint
Beckoning me to dance with them
I’m just learning to crawl, though

I’m just learning how tempting it is to stop
Because I’m safe

But they can pin my legs.
They can snap my neck.
They can drag me through the sand.

You extend your hand to me

I look to my left.
No one’s here.

I look to my right.
No one’s here.

I can’t look behind me, so I look ahead.
I can’t look beyond you, so I look at you.
It's a mild early spring
Makes you wonder of changes it will bring
Could this be the planet's warning
That it can't handle all the warming
Or is mother nature smiling down
Seeing how the last three winters made us frown
Early spring, early spring
What are the changes of which you sing?
You are killing me

you make my heart twist.

Maybe you and I could be "we"

perhaps I can finally be kissed.
“those who suffer know the struggle”*

I am a broken tinker crying inside,
tending  to other people’s wounds
and letting mine open wide.

I cram my woes into  crowded mounds
then I sit on top of them, guilty and tired.

I feed upon the clamor of the sick,
and I thrive by making a living out of it.
My shoulders are for tears and for generous treats
my words are reserved for those in need.

I spend my days fixing people up real good in no time,
willing them to bellow their suppressed sighs.
And  though I might seem incontestable and bright,
good god, I’ve lost all my faith I once had inside.

Yet, I still dream about the day when everything turns around,
When somebody will hear the quiet sound of my shouts,
someone to do me the things I want be done for me
someone to whisper me what I used to say for people’s bliss.
And maybe it’s sad but it’s comforting to admit-
that I only stay alive just to wait for this to happen to me.

In the meantime, I walk as a tinker with a dying mind,
I feel as free as a man ****** by his own kind.
When i say ‘it’s fine, you’ll get better you’ll see’
what I really want to say is that
I just pray you don’t end up like me.
A moment of 70 Degrees
It’s still winter, but the East is in for a freeze
Out in the Midwest and Deep South, storms and tornados are moving about
A touch of mild with a cold spell bout
The Cold Front is pushing the warm air out
Severe storms covering numerous states
Tornados people know and can relate
Be prepared before it’s too late
Heavy rain accompanies in pour
Damage and destruction that seem to soar
The Midwest and South have had their share
Yet in different states it didn’t compare
The storms are heading east
The cold front will be fast
It shouldn’t last
Winter returns once more
No one will have the opportunity to ignore
Heavy coats must be put back on
But you need to wake up from your yond
Mild and cold in a tug of war
North and south not really sure
Midwest to east a possible explore
Storms that will pass through
The hour of direct weather change due.
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