I don't hide under rocks
the way they say we do

I find a cool linoleum floor
in a condemned house

and hope it ain't got too many cracks
or no rat will come while I'm asleep

a popped fire hydrant can be a gift
from white gods

but as soon as they come twist it shut
I dry fast and slither off to shade

even if it's behind a dumpster:
Damon's got good trash

had me half a cold rib eye
from that heap last night

and a good nap 'til the city come to
dump the bin this rude dawn

now I'll be on the prowl but only long
enough to beg for some silver alms

only long enough to get red wine and find the next spot out of the sun

for these August streets are too hot
and make my cool blood boil

August came, December went
our bond grew stronger still
April passed and at long last
the fling gave me my fill

it ended in the Spring
when the green of life abounded
when all else bloomed our love entombed
left Nature most confounded

The Logic of the Toad
at the bottom of the slough of despond
ping ping rain drip

the very elixer of feistiness, they say
*******
make us make use o'the stuff

muscles are best for,
but virtually

estivation is our pre
servation

we wait on geotime for rain
and rise, toadish

to be kist orange by gaseous
exposure to

you, dear reader, a breath of fresh air,
if you cared to even try

to get understanding with it,
as wisdom tickled your

fancy fashionable meme chain.

April is the cruelest month, with the stirring dull roots blossoming in spring rain
Lilac's still a month away, and the stems of the ebullient estivation of this end of season
But, this is Jefferson's victory over slaves, and the politics run in my sleep
Ruminating over the possibilities of dinner and sleep, I fall into a dream
I glance at the tea, feeling peckish
Poking my peevish gutter, my hunger pangs
A dull head among wintry specimens
I cough in their presence and sneeze
I an old man
Signs and signs are taken for words and words
When will the word be the sign in this world, I walked in the juvenescence
Quite jubilant were the citizens, as it was Cherry Blossom season
Never having witnessed the spectacular indication of festive fervor and the Hakagawa bows among Titans