READING
History
pinned
to cream scene
subject
to sterile slip
of digital time:
Newton to Putin
sold out like so many
school galas
BBQ meat,
afterthought to
after hours audience.
Murmurs rise
in clouds of tar
of arsenic
Clouds pattern
in the shape of speech
Conversations
held captive
in cylinders
twist
off into the
breath of opinion
inhaling it.
You stand awkwardly
We pull applause from our sleeves.
Choop!
In the plosive
choop
-before-karatoom
poppa said
silence!
no more
he-said-she-said
no more
it’s-not-fair;
forced calm of
a putting green-
soft breeze
held breath;
choop!
the rough navigated
forgotten secrets
photographs
disappear,
those lice races
that cross country escape
soiled silk underwear
relegated
flag placed
where one may not tread
lost on my tongue
borscht
peroshki
sweet sherry
ashes
Great Aunts in Auschwitz
dialysis
-choop!
our silent heritage
(never really knew what it meant)
Different Ways
In the block
hand to hand
status spins
into nothing
aching step back
off pressure
Set free
Notes swim out
oblivious
severed strokes tapped
out
in
muted beat
Waves sway
with time
turn away
Hooked
she returns
Measured steps
strung out on a stave
commands float
at her hemline
salt water whispers
stinging melody
