Each thing I do I rush through so I can do
something else. In such a way do the days pass—
a blend of stock car racing and the never
ending building of a gothic cathedral.
Through the windows of my speeding car, I see
all that I love falling away: books unread,
jokes untold, landscapes unvisited. And why?
What treasure do I expect in my future?
Rather it is the confusion of childhood
loping behind me, the chaos in the mind,
the failure chipping away at each success.
Glancing over my shoulder I see its shape
and so move forward, as someone in the woods
at night might hear the sound of approaching feet
and stop to listen; then, instead of silence
he hears some creature trying to be silent.
What else can he do but run? Rushing blindly
down the path, stumbling, struck in the face by sticks;
the other ever closer, yet not really
hurrying or out of breath, teasing its ****.

-Stephen Dobyns

Cast that spinner bait
The emerald bass tail walks
Til I reel her in

Pulling up in this
Parking lot makes me depressed
Because you're at home

Don't yell and vent your anger
Don't fight in front of me
I'm just a baby, I love you both
This isn't fair to me

I know you're tired and restless,
I know you're stressed and worn
It's been so rough, but don't give up
I've only just been born

Dad, your loud voice scares me
And Mom, please don't hit Dad
Don't you see my frightened eyes?
Is it me? Have I been bad?

Don't you see my shaking lips?
And hear my little voice?
No, you're both too self absorbed
To make that simple choice

Dad, choke down your pride, a bit
And Mom, just let it go
I'm stressed myself, and shouldn't be
I'm just a kid, you know?

I feel the tension in the air
Can y'all please get along?
Don't choose your anger over me,
Instead, sing me a song

It scares me when you do this stuff,
'Cause I don't understand
I need you both to let it go,
To guide my little hand

So make the choice for peace and love
Be kind to one another
I know it's there, I know you can,
I know you love each other

I learn with every breath, you know,
I see and hear it all
Don't teach me hate, and disrespect
I need the both of y'all.

You are my sunshine
I am your overcast day
Sadly, this won't work

don't feel sorry for me.
I am a competent,
satisfied human being.

be sorry for the others
who
fidget
complain

who
constantly
rearrange their
lives
like
furniture.

juggling mates
and
attitudes

their
confusion is
constant

and it will
touch
whoever they
deal with.

beware of them:
one of their
key words is
"love."

and beware those who
only take
instructions from their
God

for they have
failed completely to live their own
lives.

don't feel sorry for me
because I am alone

for even
at the most terrible
moments
humor
is my
companion.

I am a dog walking
backwards

I am a broken
banjo

I am a telephone wire
strung up in
Toledo, Ohio

I am a man
eating a meal
this night
in the month of
September.

put your sympathy
aside.
they say
water held up
Christ:
to come
through
you better be
nearly as
lucky.

little dark girl with
kind eyes
when it comes time to
use the knife
I won't flinch and
i won't blame
you,
as I drive along the shore alone
as the palms wave,
the ugly heavy palms,
as the living does not arrive
as the dead do not leave,
i won't blame you,
instead
i will remember the kisses
our lips raw with love
and how you gave me
everything you had
and how I
offered you what was left of
me,
and I will remember your small room
the feel of you
the light in the window
your records
your books
our morning coffee
our noons our nights
our bodies spilled together
sleeping
the tiny flowing currents
immediate and forever
your leg my leg
your arm my arm
your smile and the warmth
of you
who made me laugh
again.
little dark girl with kind eyes
you have no
knife. the knife is
mine and i won't use it
yet.