Once I was stuck in Acapulco
in the rainy season,
for I didn't check the weather for
that time of year
when in need of a
quick getaway

when it is the rainy season
down Acapulco way,
it rains for a season,
not a day
and the roads are
the rivers unmarked on any map

apparently I was not the only idiot

a hotel full of newly weds  
with nothing to do after,
after doing what newly weds do,
they, these many couples
walked,
verily they cruised in D1
around in endless circles on the floor
around the newel post,
of the outdoor lobby,
jailed by the down pouring unceasing

like goldfish in a pond,
I fascinated watched,
expressionless, in motion constant,
speaking not a word to anyone,
even joined in for a splayed day ^

got the hell outta there,
went to Mexico City,
made me another
steve mcqueen quick getaway

had me a fine time there

over thirty yrs later,
the image of the
the fish pond of white humans
swimming in silent circles
still gives me
nightmares

Check your courage, your humanity, your common decency, your *****, in the cloakroom of pathetic

2. Spend not a nanosecond thinking about how it would feel if it were done to you, reminding yourself how sad, justified, and relieved you feel

3. Debate tween text and email, choose text cause it is shorter, less time consuming, and packs more punch

4. Be proud of your courageous forthrightness in dealing with human problems so directly

5. Immediately (or prior) text all your friends what you have done

6. Make plans for a party so you can begin trolling the field.  Of course not! (invite the ex, that would be cruel)

7. Proceed to smear your ex in person, in secret, to justify how good and kind and used you are and were.  Laser focus on new target person who really turns you on

8. Show around all the ex's break up poems for laughs.

9.  Shampoo and rinse your soul with lye, and repeat, 2 - 3 times a week. If you notice any self improvement, call your doctor immediately!

Those long hot summer days where all was easy.
"Man", those days that barely give way to night.
There's an energy on the greasy streets.
And the feeling that my heart is free.

Free and buzzing like a bumble bee,
making my way down to the salty quay.
To the mouth of the river,
where land meets sea and sea kisses land.
And one thousand billion grains of sand.
Churned over and over and over again.
As light burns my eyes and paper meets pen.
Churned over and over and over again.

- suddenly an urge to swim.

mountain ranges cast
mountainous shadows

men, just,
even just,
one odd
man

can cast ranges of
mountainous shadows

these shadows,
both
in and visible,
out and invisible

there is a looming large,
late in the day shadow
of substantive length

in and on me,
though shadows amorphous,
it's weight is crushing me

You cannot escape, Helen
a shadow
both
in and visible,
out and invisible