Stephen Richard Eng Fill Up a Glass Full of Memories

8/12/2019 Stephen Richard Eng Fill Up a Glass Full of Memories

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New- Fill Up a Glass Full of Memories

*

A. E. H.

(1859-1939)

Hausman pines in pain,

Nevermore to gain

Friends that once sat nearLaughing over eer!

Friends and "ove #or"orn$

%etter not e orn&han comp"ain in verse,

'ver-taut and terse!

8-3-

*

A Family Visit

+our prison is a tom, vau"ted, mar"e room

here .our /an spirit "ives,

0enied the peace death gives!

nd no/ .our spirit goes

n shrouded co##in c"othes

cross the headstones #or

+our rother2s porta" door!

His ne/ /i#e sees .ou c"earnd screams! He2s here, he2s here4

+our #ormer /i#e /as hernd he, .our murderer!

6-6-96

*

A Flat in Paddington

&he cit. spreads its streets "i7e "ong

&entac"es that stretch and t/ine,s "ooming vi" /eaves a /eed design

round the ust"ing, London throng!

%ut North o# ar"e rch is "ea7:raed ;treet, /here the shado/s g"oom,

nd ;o"ar :ons sits musing in his room

'# crimina"s he2"" sut". see7!

11-69-9*

A Plea


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vanescent". "urred, ha"# e.ond reca"",

Her voice do/n a midnight ha""


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gnore #or no/


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198

. u. de aupassant (185-1893)

First ng"ish trans"ation

#romDes Vers(188)*

A 2oman7s 2or3 is Ne8er 9one

t ta7es a "ot o# trou"e and toi" #orgetting .ou,

%ut ever.od. sa.s 2"" #ind me someone,

%ut 2ve een /or7ing overtime on .our memor.@

/oman2s /or7 is never done!

t ta7es a "ot o# "aor and e##ort to greet the da.,

t ta7es a "ot o# courage to #ace the sun,

t ain2t eas. ut 2"" e getting up one more time@ /oman2s /or7 is never done!

2ve strugg"ed hard to ma7e a "i#e as i# there2s rea"". nothing /rong!

nd ever.od. do/n at /or7 respects me, and the. sa. do e"ong!

t ta7es a "ot o# practice at home to get things right,

#ishing po"e


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%e.ond .our pett. "i#e and p"ace$

spe"" that spans space!

His /or7 is even guaranteedBHe hasn2t got the greed

&o spin cheap magic "i7e some do,

;o "et him serve .ou!

198*

Aest%etes

:assion"ess poets, posturing so co"d

Cnmemora". prett., never o"d,

0ecadent, dream. poseurs on the stage

Cna"e to "augh, so or rage!1981

*

After E5plaining t%e 9raft to My Four-6ear $ld

n our nation2s #ina", #ata" stages

%e#ore our countr. #a""s

From co/ardice /ithin,'ur daughters die #or so"dier2s /ages!

nd /hen the ug"e ca""s

'ut taps@it sounds our sin!

3-15-86*

After !unset

&he reddened riot o# /ine-rich sun

;pi""s over s7ies o# a#ternoon,nd purp"ing-reds o# the da. no/ done

;p"ash4--then disso"ve, so soon!

nd sunset turns a vio"et gre.

iEing /ith t/i"ight2s magic "ur,

=evea"ing the #air.-shapes at p"a.,Listen4--to /ings2 so#t /hir!

11-1-9

*

Agorap%o:ia

No /a""s4 Na7ed spacend panic orn o# openness,here /e con#ront "ove2s dread eEpanse!

%e/are4 &error-p"ace

'# #reedom /here our hearts undress,nd too much candor 7i""s =omance!

=etreat4 o


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nd sentiment (o"d-#ashioned) has a chance!

-61-81

*

Aid

+ou /ere a #riend

&o the /ea7,No/ .ou pretend

+ou can2t spea7

&o the mee7!

No/ .ou2re too strong,

;o .ou sa.$

Li#e2s not too "ong--

n./a.$Let them pra.!

6-

*

Algae

reen, green s7ies o# ;ardantha,

&arnish the copper-red sun,nd the :rincess irantha,

Jno/s the cit. is done!

0oomed, doomed


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s /hen the greed. ghou"s are #ed!

1-13-G

*

Alo%a !treet

&he others a"/a.s set her high

nd "atter dirtied her to die,Cnti" the on". thing #ound

as aro" cripp"ed on the ground!

"i#ter her a "itt"e "ateFor an. o# her "ove or hate,

hen a"" she /anted me to touch

ere tears that tric7"ed do/n her crutch!

nd /hen 7issed her mirror c"ean

'# a"" the images et/een

&omorro/ and the past she made,

#ound her Duivering and a#raid!

nd so #"ed the heav. g"oom

'# aro" in her #urnished room,

here must. memories sti"" #eedHer #ee"ings ti"" the. urst and "eed!

8-6-G8

*

Already Among 6ou

&hree hundred .ears is not too "ong a"iveB

&here2re some o# us /ho2ve "ived t/ice that4mmorta" race ui"t to sustain, survive,

ith p"astic one, s.nthetic s7in and #at!16--8

*

Am ; My (rot%er7s


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An ;dle >uestion

+ou don2t agree!+ou never have, .ou 7no/,

gnoring poets ever. time!

Humanit.4+ou2ve "itt"e distance "e#t to go

%e#ore .ou /rea7 .our #ina" crime$

/inna"e nuc"ear /ar!(%. /hom>

'ur chi"dren as"eep in their room>)

8-31-86

*

Ana%roni?e

;pit contempt at &ime!

rite rh.me,&hough rh.me is oso"ete

nd rings a doomed de#eat!

0ance a ig in p"ace

ith grace,

&o meter2s measured eat,

For #reedom "ies in shac7"es to poetic #eet!5--81

*

And Always 2ill

&he morning "ampHas dried the damp

ur7. moonBnd da. has urned

&o red, and turned

0a/n to noon!

%ut co"ors shi#t

nd #a"" and "i#t

F"ags o# "ight,

nd men sti"" creepLi7e rats, and "eap

nto in7 night!

5-*

And (lind

&ime2s never s"o/,inutes, the. go

&ic7ing #ast,

F"oating, the. #"o/&o/ard the past!


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;econds, the. #a""

'ver &ime2s /a""

nto &hen,0ea# to the ca""

'# No/2s men!

9-68-5

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And ;7m Ne8er Going to @ea8e 6ou Girl

hen the .ears come do/n "i7e sno/#"a7es, and the. #"utter in .our e.es,2"" rise up "i7e the midnight sun and 2"" /arm .our /inter s7ies,

nd /arm .our /inter s7ies!

hen .our dreams disso"ve to ashes "a.ing co"d upon the stone,

2"" ui"d the iggest on#ire .our heart has ever 7no/n,+our heart has ever 7no/!

nd 2m never going to "eave .ou gir",

2m never going to "et .ou go!

hen the devi" comes 7noc7ing and .ou #orget to pra.,

2"" 7nee" right do/n eside .ou gir" and he"p .ou #ind .our /a.,

nd he"p .ou #ind .our /a.!nd /hen at "ast it2s over, our "ove /i"" sti"" survive


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*

And "%en Ma3e @o8e

2m g"ad o# pri" rain,

Jeeping us indoors

nside our ratt"ed /indo/ pane

hi"e the night storm pours!

&he rain2s a /inding sheet,

;hrouding up the nightB

nside /e drin7 and ta"7 and eat%. a #ire ui"t right!

5-68-9

*

Anne *+0

+our heart is a #ord haven,

ove on a ragged coast,

nd 2m .our uccaneer,Li#ting a pirate toast!

. heart is a rigantine,&ossed . a corsair sea,

nd .ou are its #igurehead

arved #rom a p"iant tree!

5-15-G9*

Anne *0

.c"es spin

'ut and inLi7e ree"s

'# our "ove$irc"es o#

&/o /hee"s!

;i"ver smi"es,o"den mi"es

ith .ou,

Ie/e"ed .ears,

&inse"ed tears'# "ue!

16-8-G

*

Anne *B0

Love2s more than #ee"ing, it2s /i""-po/er strained

&ense as a /ire, so p"easura".-pained!Love is decision, as #irm as our od2s,

0aring, de#iant o# a"" earth". odds!

Love is a #"o/er, ut #ashioned o# stone,


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=ugged, un/ithered, peta"s un"o/n!

Love isn2t poetr., "ove isn2t song!

Love2s in .our heat-tempered sou"@stee".@strong!

9-6-86*

Anne *C0

+our musica" smi"e

&in7"es "i7e si"ver rain,

'n .our #ace, a s7. o# go"d!

&he tune2s sti"" in st."e@Iust autumn /inds that /rea7

0eceptive, nois. tric7s!

nd did .ou hear the 7ne""

'# e""s #rom "ong ago>

@&he e"#r. "ong since #e""

n ruins, this 7no/!

ho ca""s .our name a"oud

'utside .our o"ted door>

@ s"eep! No one2s a""o/ed&o rouse me /hi"e snore!

Ecuse us, p"ease #orgive

'ur #rivo"ous remar7s


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-68-5

*

Anti-Dommunist Manifesto

or"d ommunism2s sure to spread

here C! ;! mone.2s spent,

nd mi"d re#ormers turn right reds +an7ee guns are sent

&o 7i"" those /ho dissent!

&he arEist2s actua"". approve'ur #oreign po"ic.!

%. arming t.rannies, /e move

:oor nations "e#t as "e#t can e!

&he rea" dupes are .ou and me!5-6G-83

*

Anti1ue

&he curio shop

here no one /i"" stop,

Lives in its .esterda.-dustB grand#ather2s c"oc7,

n earthen/are croc7,

nd &ime2s #aintest aroma o# must!

&he rass utton tra.s,

&he right #eather spra.s,

Languish "i7e "overs ignored!

&he .ears are #or sa"e,&he argains a"" #ai",

nd &ime shu##"es ., "oo7ing ored!9-6-

*

Ap%rodite

7iss corrodes on the statue2s "ips,Fro?en #or centuries,

tear made o# mar"e so#t". s"ips

0o/n/ard! %ut no one sees!

&he tourists /a"7 past, indi##erent!

%ric-a-rac, the. ignore!

rotic emotion in stone2s a"" spent,o"d as the art ga""er.2s #"oor!--81

*

Approa%ing Hour

hen the #ic7"e tic7 o# &ime

ntensi#ies, then 2m/are o# count"ess minutes past!


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nd /onder$ /hen the c"oc7

Ep"odes its #ina" toc7,

i"" "oo7 #oo"ish at the "ast,

Cnread.


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n his #e., #antastic rain


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0ice are thro/n

nd .ou groan

t the toss$'ne more "oss!

%eg one more

hance to scoreB0ea"er grinsB

;atan /ins!

-G-

*

As%

/rote m. est, too "ong, "ong past,ords #rom m. heart, not head,

gra m. pen, c"utch it #ast,

%ut a"" m. art is dead,

"" m. art is dead!

s dead as dreams that died o# age,

&ired #rom a /ear. /ait,

s rh.mes unprinted on the page%urned in the #irep"ace grate,

%urned in the #irep"ace grate!

6-1G-G

*

Aspirations

reatness@the goa" o# ermined 7ings,;ainthood@nun and priest,

Fame@the trouadour /ho sings,an7ind@the charne" /orms /ho #east!

9-9-8G*

Astral Proetion

magine the u"timate empires o# star,

&hose si"ver ga"aEies so #ar

+ou cannot see them, ut in dream!

=eenter their shimmering seas o# "ight,%ee/e"ed g"immerings o# right

=esp"endent sa##ron suns, that eam

nside .our head! &heir visions stream,nd cra?e .ou /ith their g"amoured, g"oried g"eam!1--198 (=ev! 8-68-1991)

*

At t%e 2indow

sa/ him again toda.

:eering out through the g"asst me as dared to pass


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&he house so grave and co"d and gre.!

"et /e"" enough a"one,

Jeeping m. e.es ahead,gnoring that pa"e /hite head

s raced past the house o# stone!

9-6-9

Atmosp%ere of Houses

Houses so#t". spea7$hispering, the. crea7

hen the /inds drive in@

urmured ta"es egin

'# tragedies


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Har"eDuins and /hores,

0/arves and mar"e #"oors

re %eards"e.2s "egac.!

;u"ime perversit.!198

August !torm

;ummer thunder shatters s7.,

et rep"aces dr.,

CneEpected torrents "ot'ut the humid hot!

s the rain ut Nature2s rie#

i#t #or our re"ie#>'r a random, out-o#-p"ace

ater#a"" #rom space>

-1-8

Autumn (loom

(#or nne)

Happiness re"ooms ane/,

nd age is "ess /ith me!

&he #"o/ering is "ate, the peta"s #e/

%ut p"anted .outh#u"". . .ou! p"uc7 ecstatica"".!

1-1-86

*

(a:y7s Manifesto

No/ 2m t/o

nd ta"7 to .ouBhen 2m #our

2"" ta"7 much more!

3-18-9

*

(a3 "%en "%ey Dalled Us Rustlers

&he gun#ighters came up #rom &eEasB the. arrived on the rai"road trainB&he att"emen2s ssociation /as ound to contro" the range!

&he. had a sheet o# paper, a "ist o# names, o# men the. had to 7i""Bnd the. "e#t some co/o.2s odies in the .oming pri" chi""!

%ac7 then the. ca""ed us rust"ers, Mcause /e #ought #or our o/n piece o# "and,

%ac7 then the. ca""ed us rust"ers, Mcause no/ and then /e changed a rand!

&he. had the mone., and the. o/ned the overnor,

%ac7 in the .ear o# Ninet.-&/o, in the Iohnson ount. ar!

n a co"d .oming Novemer, /e "ost our three-.ear o"d o.,


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nd m. /oman she didn2t sa. nothing, as she pac7ed up #or ""inois!

nd .ou /ou"dn2t e"ieve it to see me no/$ /or7 #or the iggest ranch in the state,

nd the o/ner, he2s m. ver. est #riend


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=eoice4 &he cava"cade o# dreams arrives,

Fancies, dreads, mirages too,

himeras thrive, o"d m.th survivesaravan unpac7s #or .ou!

11-9

*

(alaned (oo3s

He shou"dered a"" the shame,

%ore the "ame'# his name!

&he det his #ather made

He has paid

ith his "ade@%. cutting his o/n s7in

"" too thin, purging sin!

&hen his ghost too7 #"ight

n the night!No/ no more@

0ead upon the #"oor

et /ith gore!&he "edger sho/ed

;ee no det is o/ed,

Jin#o"7 "ood, #ree". #"o/ed!

19G*

(al:at%on

(#or Lord 0unsan.! 188-1958)

ncient to/ers streaming;hado/s on the sand$

&he it.2s doomed to dreaming,Cn"i7e". "ong to stand!

;ee the it. crum"ing,

Fissures reeching /a""s,s to/ers, spires, come tum"ing,

nd ru"e #i""s the ha""s!

&hus a sad, sad it.'##ers up its pra.er!

nd so the gods ta7e pit.,

nd topp"e it /ith care!5-3- (rev! 199)

(allad of Han3 2illiams

&he saddest man .ou ever sa/

;ang through his nose, his notes /ere ra/!

&he peop"e said his voice /as #"atBHan7 i""iams /ore a co/o. hat!


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hundred songs upon the she"#,

He "oved us more than "oved himse"#$

He sang o# .ou, he sang o# me&o set our shac7"ed spirits #ree!

hen "i#e and "ove had done him /rong,

He put it in a countr. song!His /ords came do/n "i7e #a""ing rain


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rchers at m. command,

ncirc"ing them /ith their o/-strings taut,

imed at the out"a/ and


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;purring her steed on the road>

est ountr. /itch /hom, "egends recount,

&rans#ormed her man /ith a spe""$uc7o"ding "over, she made him her mount


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%e good to .ou!

%e good to .ou,

a7e .our co"or go"d, not "ue,t2s ust another name #or #a""ing rain,

No more pain,

Not as "ong as .ou ma7e sure .ou2re good to .ou!

%e good to .ou,

Love .ourse"# true, 2"" ta7e care o# me,

hatever e"se .ou do, e good to .ou!

%e good to .ou,

;omeone e"se /i"" e

ood to .ou, .ou2"" see,

Love "oves compan.# .ou /ant the "ove .ou thin7 that .ou2re entit"ed to,

%e good to .ou!

%e good to .ou,

Find a mountain /ith a vie/,Leave a"" the tears o# .esterda. e"o/,

e"ting sno/,

nd .ou2"" e so good to me, and me to .ou!-G-G

(efore t%e Dolors Fade

eorge :atton

(1885-195)

:isto"-proud, Airginia-vain,0ea# to danger, num to pain,

%orn a centur. too "ate,eorge :atton spat at Fate!

Cnderneath the omshe""2s urst,

He 7ne/ this /as not the #irst

%"ood o# enemies he2d spi""ed,

Nor the #irst age /hen he2d 7i""ed!

'nce a prehistoric e"t,

&hen a "egionnaire /ho #e"t

"ee at gashing Iesus2 sideBLater, serving Him /ith pride!

Aisionar. genera",:ra.er#u", and pro#ane, and a""&his, and something more as /e""B

:oet, rh.ming /hi"e oms #e""!

16-6-3

*

(elie8e

:urp"e cats are ac7 in st."e,


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;ee them on the street,

:urp"e /his7ers, purp"e smi"e,

:urp"e puss. #eet!

Litt"e chi"dren 7no/ the.2re there,

'n". gro/n-ups don2t!

:et the #"u##. purp"e hair,

Never mind /ho /on2t!16-6-8

*

(elow t%e Hori?on

%eginning poets /rite o# sunsets, .es,

nd so do ending poets, too,

an singers /hose eEhausted "itt"e tunes are through$ho sing one #ina" time o# purp"e-sp"endored rosiness,

'# t/i"ight turned to vio"et

nd then to gre.! :oetic suns then set,

s "ac7-/inged ange"s press their s7e"eton-caress!

8-8 (rev! 199)*

(etter "%an Not%ing

Leaves are /ithering,

Fa"" is here to ring,

ar"., ear". chi"",+et .ou never care

# the autumn air

omes to 7iss or 7i""!

;pringtime, /inter, #a""$

eather each and a"",&reasure Li#e2s green "ea#,

Never measure ho/Long od /i"" a""o/,

ven i# so rie#!

198

*

(e8erage

2d rather rh.me and meter m. dreams,%ut .ou "i7e .our verse agged,

nd ug".-ui"t!

2"" tr. it "oose and anti-st."ed,Form"ess as poo"ed tearsn maud"in drops!

0rin7 them4

196

*

(e8erage *0

agica" dragon2s tooth


25/323

%rings ac7 .outh,

;tir in a diamond-c"ear

ermaid2s tear,

0rain the cup ust as .ou2re to"d,0on2t gro/ o"d!

11--

*

(eyond

No cause #or pett. #earing

hen a"" .our .ears run out$ternit. is nearing,

;oon 7i""ing death and dout!

terna" Li#e--His giving--n#used #rom n#"eshed od--

&rans#orming no/ our "iving,

;o trave" /here He trod!

6-6G-19 (=ev! 11-11-199)

*

(i:lio-(la?e

&he %oo7-;hip, it /rec7s on the ree#,

argo #"oats onto the sand,

&he aptain is gidd. /ith grie#,

atching the doom c"ose at hand!

&he savages storm to/ard the "oot,

%attering oEes /ith stones,

%ut /ater-"ogged pisto"s /on2t shoot$aptain stands . and he groans!

&he. ravage the oo7s #rom the ship,

Ae""um and parchment are tornnd hand-cra#ted indings go rip4

aptain stands sic7 and #or"orn!

nd vo"umes o# romance and m.th%"a?e in a p.ramid spire

For roasting the %oo7-aptain /ith$

annia"s dance at his p.re!

19G9*

(i:lio-tourist

ach time inha"e

&he aroma o# oranges and tea,

/ish cou"d sai"

&he 'rient, #ic7"e and #ree!

&he hina see7

s #ashioned o# "egend and dream!=ea"it.2s /ea7!


26/323

%ut m.ths ever g"immer and g"eam!

circ"e the g"oe,

thin7 o# a pagoda ui"t high,here go/ned in his roe

'# sa##ron a mon7 shu##"es .!

For oo7s are ought cheap,&he. serve me instead o# a ship$

read


27/323

'# monstrous, meta""ic, repti"ian irds

gniting s7ies /ith a #"ight o# #ire$

%e"o/ them the smo7e o# charred arth /i"" spire!

&hese death-pterodact."s are coming true$

&heir pi"ots turn "ea7 the hori?ons o# "ue,

;"ee7 avian avatars, spi""ing do/n

&heir droppings that cinder the #ie"d and to/n!

&he creatures themse"ves are consumed in #"ame,

nd man is a dinosaur, oso"ete-name,

Forgotten as prophesied, s"ain . s"ee7Lo/-s/ooping pteranodons, ones-in-ea7!

16-3-8

*

(irt%day E8e

&he /ords o# the /itch #rom the smo7. p.re

Fe"" on m. ancestor2s head!

He spat disdain at the hissing #irend cursed at the curse she said!

He died that month, his thirtieth .ear,%irthda. and death-da. the same,

nd so did is son, and his son, ti"" here

2m the "ast to possess their name!

carr. a cross, ut so did the.!

0octor has chec7ed me


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%"ac7 the rose a /itch has 7issed,

%"ac7 its /ithered #rame,

+et the man-made devi"-mist

:uts the rose to shame!

%e the magic /hat it /i""

%"ac7 as chimne. stac7

None so "ac7 ut "ac7er sti""$rmaggedon-"ac7!

19

*

(la3 (etrot%al

+our p"eas amuse me, utter".,

;ee7ing ans/ers #rom the Jing o# .nics, me!+our tears each #ree?e upon m. pa"m!

. "acerating "aughter is .our poisoned a"m

nd sti"" .ou murmur$ here is "ove>

. /ords are under/ater sna7es=ipp"ing in the eon. o# 7nighted "a7es

&hat /as inside m. caverned sou"!

. serpentine remar7s "i7e vipers no/ unro""!ncoi"ing .ou, /ith adder-"ove!

;urrender innocence to me, m. dear@

ir"ish, #resh naivet /i"" disappear%et/een m. /or"d". hands, 2"" crimp

+our de"icate idea"s


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shrouded and somer shape

arries each one o# us homeB

Not a man nor a /oman escape=epose, siE #eet in the "oam!

&he guide is the gent"est o#

;ervants$ his so#t, s/eet handsi"" caress us /ith ho". "ove

n "ac7-curtained s"umer"ands!

9-69-86

*

(lan3et

=i#"es ratt"e,rmies att"e

'n the p"ain,

etting g"or.,

rie#, or gor.

o"ored pain!

onscripts giving

Cp their "ivingFor a patriotic ed

&hat is ag-shaped,

;hrouded, #"ag-draped$

%"ue, /hite, red!1-6G-5

*

(la?e

=ound the =im o# =eason=ing the /orshippers o# thought,

Faith to them is treason,;ou"s are something so"d and ought!

'ne da. the.2re e"ieving,

'ne da. #aith returns,0outers each receiving

Light that #ires and urns!

G-1-G

*

(liss

&he seas o# s"eep'nrush and s/eep

e to the shores o# #arthest dream,

here grounded,

n s"umer "ie:i""o/ed on diamond sands that g"eam!

&hen da/ning /a7es. s"eep and rea7s


30/323

=eddening-orange aove m. ed,

nd urns a/a.

ith "ight o# da.

Aisions #rom night-"and, #"ed and dead!9-1G-81

*

(liss *0

&he 7iss o# &ime corrodes

%ron?e Aenuses to #"a7ing rust,

&ime2s transitoriness erodesar"e aphrodites do/n to dust!

%ut Love2s caress s"a.s &ime!

ternities succum to Love2s so#t sigh!nd nuptia" church e""s ever chime$

od2s c"arion echo heard on high!

9-69-88

*

(lood Har8est

Ha. is threshed . the rotor "ades,Ha. a"ong /ith the arms,

Legs, and heads o# the mi"7ing maids,

0o/n on the carrion #arms!

Farmer isog.nist reaps his .ie"d


31/323

s ugust me"ted #rom its stic7. heat,

;eptemer /atched us trave"ing to /here

Airginia, ;outh aro"ina, oth do meet$&he app"e-mountains rich /ith grape and pear!

Her #ami". and sister /e"comed me,

Far too po"ite to ever seem Duite rea",

dro/ned in countr. hospita"it.nd care#u" conversation at each mea"!

%ut underneath #e"t a tense unease$

Her e"der sister seemed to "oo7 through a""

&he harmon. "i7e some "one ird that seesn anima" e"o/ aout to #ai" and #a"",

'ur mutua" hatred and respect /ere "i7e

&he hunted #or the hunter as it sta"7s to stri7e!

1--5*

(lue Rose

(193- )

Lad. "i7e a rose

:eta"s a"" enc"ose

Her instead o# c"othes!

Ioni2s coming

;trumming, thrumming,

Hear the humming!

Fee" the ecstas.,

&ortured me"od.,

;/eet, s/eet agon.!1-5

*

(lue 2estern 9ream

;he2s a %"ue estern 0ream, "i7e no co/po7e2s ever seen,

;he2s got o"d =ush nuggets in her e.es,

;he2s a gun#ighter2s ga"@she2s "i7e the '!J! orra",;he2"" "eave .ou in %oot Hi"", .e and .e!

'n the 'regon &rai", her heart /as #or sa"e,

;o she too7 the agonmaster to edB%ut his /i#e #ound out, so the pioneers 7ic7ed her out

'n the desert in her dress made o# red!

;he2s part hero7ee@and she2s a"" &ennessee,%ut &eEas /eren2t ig enough #or her!

catt"eman #rom he.enne, she to"d him +ou2re m. man!

&hen she ra7ed him /ith the ro/e"s o# her spur!

nd she #ina"". sett"es do/n in a Nevada ghost to/n,

:opu"ation, seventeen!

&hrough her memories and her tears she re"ives a"" those .ears&hrough the pages o# a estern maga?ine@


32/323

1988

*

(oarding Party

;hips o# morning sai"

'ut across the pa"e

'cean overhead,;p"ashing trees and "a/n,

No/ that night is dead!

'cean-"ue /i"" urn+e""o/-red and turn

ater into sand,

a7ing .ou a/are

ver.thing is air,e"ting in .our hand!

;hips o# evening dri#t

;ee the mainsai" shi#t

s the dus7 eginsBhosts ma7e up the cre/

;etting course #or .ou,

s the s7u""-#"ag grins!1-61-5

*

(o: 9ylan

(191- )

&he. said he /as this voice o# .outh!&hat /as the iggest "ie!

t /asn2t to"d, ut he /as o"d,nd o"d men te"" the truth!

Ie/ish g.ps. /ith guitar

Heard the chi"dren cr.

n napa"m he""s! His music te""s

Cs /ho /e /ere, and /orse, sti"" are!6-61-86

*

(o37s G%ost

(191-19G)

Leap over ga"aEies,;/im over starr. seasashed . the moon!

0rin7 #rom the morning de/,

%athe in the mist. "ue,

mmorta"


33/323

:aint /ith an ange"2s rush,

Hear Heaven2s voices hush,

/ed


34/323

&houghts aort

n tight, constricted space!

ho7ing dreams

Hear their screams,n c"austrophoic p"ace!

5-18-81

*

(rief

Li#ting g"asses o#

%urgund. aove&a"es /et /ith /ine,

asting .outh and "ove,

&oasting #riends o# mine!

Friends are on". no/,

No one /orries ho/

&ime /i"" cut us #reeB

oments sti"" a""o/

0run7 dear compan.!19G

*

(rig%t Prospet

rmageddon is a ne/ eginning4

ver.od. has a chance o# /inning


35/323

ighteen ight.-ight, he rode the he.enne =odeoB

He even trained horses in rgentina, he saidB

hen he rode #or the :in7ertons he "e#t a #e/ rust"ers dead!

%rush. %i"" =oerts had t/ent.-siE /ounds that had hea"ed,

;cars #rom the horses, and u""ets, and 7nives, he revea"edB

His rea" name and date o# his irth are a m.ster. sti"",

%ut he used to rea7 mustangs and roncos #or sure, %rush. %i""!

%rush. %i"" =oerts /ent o## to a #ara/a. shore,

n the ;het"and s"ands, roping ponies, ighteen-Ninet. Four,

nd do/n there in ua, he /as a =ooseve"t =ough =ider too,nd he smugg"ed horses to he"p :oncho Ai""a, it2s true!

He /ent cra?., there at the end@

n 195@he even surrendered,&o the governor o# Ne/ eEico@

s7ing #or a pardon #or his crimes!

t seemed that a"" those .ears he2d een

Jeeping it hid@

+es, he even con#essed he /as@rea"".@%i"". the Jid4

&he. "aughed at %rush. %i"" and three /ee7s

Later he died@

%rush. %i"" =oerts /as orn Duite a "ong time ago,

&he. sti"" te"" his "egend M/a. do/n in o"d Ne/ eEico,

nd he2s sti"" in the sadd"e "i7e a ghost in a rodeo dream!+ou see, sometimes those co/o.s are Duite a it more than the. seem!

1985

*

(udd%ist Mon3

Cnsu""ied . the /or"d, /ith conscience #ree,

He sits in contemp"ation, hour on hour,'# one sma"" point on his anatom.

From /hich he gathers strength and m.stic po/er!

Not #or him the hero2s /ide acc"aim,

&he so"dier2s g"or., nor the merchant2s pri?eB0ea# is he to trumpetings o# #ame,

%"ind to the promise in a /oman2s e.es!

For him no c"eaving to ephemera" things


36/323

rea"". don2t need an.one!

%u##a"o s7u"" on the desert,

;pider ma7es a home in its headB;ometimes #ee" "i7e that u##a"o s7u""

hen thin7 o# those "ast /ords .ou said!

+ou said to me, dios, caa""ero, /e2re crossing the order, posse2s c"ose on our trai"B

e2re /anted #or "ove, and there2s a price on our hearts


37/323

+ou te"" ev2r.od. &here2s "and up in 'regon,

+ou2"" #ind .ou a #arm that don2t #ai",

+ou2"" stop /ith .our chi"dren each evening #or supper,

nd coo7 . the side o# the trai"!

%ut out in Neras7a there2s "ate #a""ing sno/ into pri",

+ou /a7e up one morning@the #rostite too7 three o# .our toesB

+our chi"dren are s"eeping so s/eet". and so sad". so peace#u"@&he.2"" s"eep there together "ong a#ter the /agon train goes!

+ou2"" raise some ne/ chi"dren /hen .ou2re up in 'regon,

nd .ou and .our /i#e /i"" prevai",%ut some nights .ou2"" dream o# those "itt"e /ood crosses

%ac7 there@. the side o# the road!

198

*

(yroni

. senses are a s.mphon.

'# vio"ent disharmon.,no.ing an. me"od.

&hat2s sad!

;e"#-pit.2s a"/a.s s/eeter than

=ememering that 2m a man,

nd sentimenta" verses can

%e ad!9-6-G

*

Daop%ony

No/ o# this and that hear$&ime and &ime"ess memor.,

0a/n o# the ages, ages o"d!%irdsong in the morning mists,

;i"ver strains o# s/ir"ing spheres,

&ime-egotten, &ime-eDueathedB

&/i"ight, end o# the centuries,Aio"ence, &ime-dishonoring,

=aucous notes that rend the air

From an orchestra gone mad!

199*

Dal8ary

;tand against them a""$

;hou"ders on the /a"",

%"ind#o"d "otting out

nemies, and dout!

Later, a#ter the.

Ji"" .ou #or their pa.,&hemse"ves aout to die


38/323

He"p them, don2t as7 /h.!

196

*

Danoni?ation

;t! Ieanne o# rc caro"s in the p.re,

;ainted #or her #ina" song!Her mart.red voice, a human ".re,

Her ashes, immemoria"". strong!

-9-8G

*

Dapitol Hill

;he sat in do/nto/n restaurants a"one,nd read her oo7 unti" the. shut the doorsB

0e#iant, seventeen, and on her o/n,

;he made her co##ee "ast an hour or more!

;o /hen cou"dn2t #ind her home ran

=idicu"ous". aout the neighorhood, comic maniac /ho2d een a man

%ehaving "i7e a /ounded co.ote /ou"d$

circ"ed, a"most ho/"ing /ith rute painround dar7 ashington, through ever. p"ace

;he ought to e ut /asn2t

5-11-5

*

Dara8an

!

host-/agons ro"" in the ruts,

rea7ing and c"attering on,

:assing the vi""agers2 huts,

:easants re"ieved, once the.2re gone!

;pirits ten centuries o"d,

hosts o# ararian tries--

&ries /hose maraudings are to"d;huddering". . o"d scries!

!

host /agons "eave /ith no trace!

'h, ut /here is .our chi"d>

&here he is4 %ut "oo7 at his #ace4

;avage-e.ed! 0aemonic! i"d!9-1G-

*

Darolina (order 9ream


39/323

aro"ina %order 0ream, #orget me,

utumn /inds are thinning out the trees,

ver.thing /e started no/ is over,%utton up .our coat against the ree?e!

;outh Airginia summertime /as heaven,

pp"e orchards, grapes upon the vine,;omething 2"" rememer #or a "i#etime,

M;orr. .ours /i"" never #it /ith mine!

hen .ou2re .oung, .ou never sa. the right thing,M"/a.s much too push. or too sh.,

aro"ina %order 0ream, 2m "eaving,

utumn c"ouds are co"oring the s7.!

aro"ina %order 0ream, 2m sorr.,

%"ue =idge mountainsides are turning ro/n,

2"" e heading north to spend the /inter,

M&r. to "ose m.se"# in some ig to/n!

aro"ina %order 0ream, it2s ending,

Li7e the. a"/a.s hoped it /ou"d, one da.,

MHate to ma7e them happ., no/ /e2re parting,o"den s7ies are turning into gre.!

-69-

*

Darpat%ian Donflagration

ast"e o# crimson is to/ering

High on the c"i##s in the mistB0o/n in the va""e. are co/ering

:easants /ho are". eEist!

'ne da. a priest is victorious,%raving the c"i##s a"" a"oneB

Aictor., gor. and g"orious4

Aampire is po/dered "i7e one!

ar"ic and ross and hot torches

Etirpate pesti"ence thereB

:easants oserve #rom their porches

rimsoned-hued p.re a"" a-#"are!19 (rev, 9-1-9)

*

Darpe 9iem

+our "i#e is "i7e a rie#

"usive, /ind-"o/n "ea#

Cpon the ga"es o# arch! ;o sei?end c"utch it captive #rom &ime2s ree?e!

%ut "eaves are hard to ho"dn autumn2s coming co"dB


40/323

%e#ore the. po/der in .our hand

(=ight through .our #ingers, "i7e #ine sand)

n/reathe them in a #"ora" and!

16-69-8G*

Darrion

&he #ree and de#iant Lords

'# Litting-Loo

Jne/ /hat to do$

&heir trumpets "e/,&he. dre/ their stee" tempered s/ords!

&he. charged on their unicorns

ith s"ac7-#ree reinscross the p"ains!

nd "e#t remains

'# enemies s7e/ered . horns!

11-9-

*

Dartograp%i-"ypograp%i Note

&he p"ace 7no/n as he"" shou"d e capita"i?ed,

;o print it as He"" i# .ou p"ease!

particu"ar p"ace to /here /e tum"ed #rom grace

Noosed, as /e dance in the ree?e!6-16-86

*

Dase !tudy

&he Freudian2s a paranoid, schi?oid /ho2s anno.ed

hen peop"e rend his mas7 and seeHis droo"ing, vo.eur #antas.!

&he Freudian2s o/n mind is sp"it

(&he t/o ha"ves never #it)$&hose pha""ic s.mo"s he erects

onvince .ou@he2s deprived o# seE4

&he Freudian2s osessed


41/323

'ver on the other side

Cnro""s the #oaming tide,

asting .ou aground,Li7e dri#t/ood, "ost, not #ound!

6-3-G

*

Dat >uery

h. are 7itties a"/a.s she2s

ven /hen the.2re he2s>Feminine to "oo7 at, true,

;ti""-their seEes numer t/o!

G-3-8

*

Dertainty

(or %ruce %oston)

&here2s a certain ma"aise endure /hen hearuttering /ind at night,

nd a certain a"arm /hen notice a Dueer

aseous .e""o/-green "ight;o etherea" and #aint

a"7 a #"o/er-#i""ed path a"" a"one,

;ing .our /orries a/a., "itt"e chi"d,Never cr., never sorro/ or moan!


42/323

Let the songs o# the irds #i"" .our ear,

Let .our smi"e, "i7e a sun-ra. appearB

;ince the morning, great od turns His ear&o the tunes o# the irds@and o# .ou!

9-5-5


First ng"ish trans"ation#romDes Vers(188)

*

D%ill-D%arred 2interlude

0ecemer /armth is #ro?en he"",

cic"es sta .our ps.che throughB

Frigid #urnace emers s/e""


43/323

Fee" the moon"ight cr.ing

:a"est, si"ver tears!

Noon$ another /ord #or "onging


44/323

nstead o# charge2 men "earn retreat,

# .ou can ca"" a ma"e a man,

ho "ost his gender /hen he ran!

;ociet. has red this mee7

mascu"ated, servi"e #rea7,

ho cringes /hen he ends to 7nee",

ith ruer spine that once /as stee"!1-1-9

*

Dlo3

Ho/ shou"d measure the turns o# time>

n raindrops, tears or 7isses>

n /rin7"es, rages, "isses>

Ho/ shou"d count these seasons 2m

;urviving, e.ond numer>

%. sno/-. sun-. thunder>

:erhaps to c"oc7 them is a crime,

nstead 2"" sing their going,

&heir coming-and their #"o/ing!3-61-9

*

Dlo3*0

Fort. summers, #ort. springs

+ou concentrate on righter things!

&hen #ort. autumns, #ort. co"d0ecemers@and .ou2re gro/ing o"d!

3-1-81*

Dlosing "ime

hen the music sti""s, as the c"osing chords are p"a.ed,

#anc. hear .our name, sta. ehind, and tips., proc"aim

toast4 &o our once-"ove, then "imp home, passion-"ame!

-8-81

*

Doffee at Fo57s (oo3store#

Nas%8ille

'ur conversation /as a"" o# oo7s$

He chatted charming".

'# #irsts and points un7no/n to me


45/323

*

Dold Dold Han3

(196-1953)

&he saddest man .ou ever sa/

;ang through his nose, his notes /ere ra/,

His teeth /ere ad, his voice /as #"atBHan7 i""iams /ore a co/o. hat!

hundred songs upon the she"#,

He "oved us more than "oved himse"#$He sang o# .ou, he sang o# me,

&o set our shac7"ed spirits #ree!

His tritest tit"es ragged o# pain,+our heatin2 Heart, +ou in gain,

nd ear. %"ues, ;a/ &he Light,

nd &here2"" %e No &eardrops &onight!

He "oved to drin7, ut he "oved moreomposing me"odies meant #or

&he /ords he cou"dn2t a"/a.s spe"",

%ut sang so /e"" that the. sti"" se""!

"imousine, go"d in the an7,

ere not enough to ease o"d Han7$

He cursed his "oves, and #eared his Lordou"d pa. him ac7 the dets he stored!

&he dets /ere c"eared on Ne/ +ear2s 0a.,

&he coroner cou"d on". sa.&hat ch"ora" h.drate too7 its to""

From Han72s poor se"#-tormented sou"!

+ou hear that .ode"ed #reight-train /hine>t2s ust a ghost, aged t/ent.-nine,

&hat "e#t his #"esh in MFi#t.-&hree,

%ut sti"" he haunts ontgomer.!

-13-*

Dold-2ar @i:erals

%orn-again nuc"ear /ar#are #oes,

Fina"". raising their voice,

No/ that /ar2s #ashiona"e to oppose,a7ing the com#orta"e choice!

No/ that their suurs are under ris7

(=ather than Iapanese),

&he. spin aout #ace4 nd manage a ris7horus o# Nuc"ear Free?e!

8-9-86

*


46/323

Dolletor7s Dlutter

0ea"ers2 cata"ogues, the. pi"e

. des7 and over#"o/ m. #i"e,. #irst editions #ight #or space$

Li7e /eeds, the price-"ists cho7e their p"ace!

G-1-8

*

Dolonel House# Administrator

*+'-+,B'0

ith ;outhern charm

He #orged the ho"d

'# #oreign go"d

'n to/n and #arm!

He gave us t/o

:roud presidents

G-15-8

*

Dommand Performane

n her pa"ace . the sea


47/323

Oueen %e"a#ree

s reigning #rom a tarnished throne,

here mosses, a"gae, c"im her /a""s

here mi"de/ed, #rescoed ha""s:ee" through p"aster to o"d stoneB

nd seagu""s scree, /aves moan!

+et she ho"ds a "ive". court,here c"o/ns cavort,

nd trouadours sing "i"ting-sad@

nd ugg"ers toss /here acroats

;pin cart/hee"s ti"" the. "ose their hats,;natching up the coins she thro/s@

'utside, the /ater"ine ust rose4

%e"a#ree ignores the tide;o high outside,

nstead she smi"es and starts to spea7$

No/ dance4 &he sho/ must never stop4

Heed"ess that the cei"ings crea7,

s #"oors commence to sag and "ea7@5-6G-8(rev! 199)

*

Dompost

gg she""s, potato pee"s,

Fruit scraps #rom mea"s,o##ee grindings


48/323

'veracting his meager part


49/323

Don8ition

man, to survive must never once care

For /hat the e##ete #o"7 thin7


50/323

Dountry Farm%ouse

No ui"ding "ong survives &ime2s hurricane,t scatters shing"es, rends each roo#

nd ares the ra#ters to the rain,

&he s7e"eton o# /a""s stands proo#

&hat nothing #ashioned . mere an endures a"oo#!1-86

*

Dountry Mu?a3

(#or Iustin &u)

&he pu"ic doesn2t "isten "ong,

#e/, #e/ seconds and no more,;o "et2s give them an empt. song

ith me"odies /e2ve used e#ore


51/323

198

*

Dra?ed Darni8al

(#or ar. i""iam ra/#ord , editor o#

Yellow Rider, And Other Fantasy oems,

. ;teve ng)

&he #air o# #o"". arrives in to/n$

&he #ur"ed-up anners are #"opping do/n,

&he Foo" is enthroned as the Jing o# a""!

;o /e"come$ idiots, "eap and #a""!

&he c"o/ns cavort on the mid/a. strip,

=evo"ving acroats tum"e, #"ip!

&he Foo" himse"# on the trape?e /ire0isports himse"# in a di??. g.re!

&he madness mounts and the cro/d oins in,

&he "aughter o# "unatics ma7es a din$

&he circus tent2s an as."um ai"


52/323

rimson curses dooming

Ai""agers, and "ooming

mmense a"ong the .ears$

:esti"ence descending--:"ague, their odies rending


53/323

;tand aside,

Let the /ide

;tage co""apse!;tand apart,

Let .our heart

0ie, perhaps!

;tand a"one

Li7e a one

%"eaching dr.!

0eath2s .our scene,:"a.ed et/een

;and and s7.!

1-5-5

*

9ale E8ans ;s Riding "onig%t

&he .oung gir"2s pon. is made #rom the stic7 o# a room,

ith posters o# rodeos thum-tac7ed a"" over her room!;he heads o## to schoo" /ith her "unch in a meta" "unch pai"


54/323

;eatt"e summertime is a""

Forgotten, in an ug". #a""

'# #og, and ever-soa7ing rain&hat hammers heav. do/n

Cpon a /oman2s /indo/-pane,

s am "eaving to/n!

Her on". souvenirs are some

'# m. romantic poems #rom

""usions o# an ugust "ove,

&hat "e#t her out o# reath


55/323

ove ineEora".!

=omans, ;partans come,

;cots /ith pipe and drum,No one 7no/s /here #rom!

%ritish, &ur7, and French

;me"" o# dead men2s stench,From their uria" trench!

i"itar. ghosts,

;/apping a/d. oasts,=aising martia" toasts@!

rmored, ?omie hosts!

1-8-

*

9ead Rain:ow

&he shade o# rage is a gor. red,

&he g"o/ o# "ove is go"d,&he co"or o# .our indi##erence is "ead$

&he gre. o# "ove gro/n co"d!

&he hue o# hate is eon.,

&he /ash o# #aith is /hite,

&he dar7 o# .our disdain #or me

s "ac7 as a "ove"ess night!--8

*

9eat% :y Mirrors

cr. in the ho""o/ o# m. .ears$=evererant despair resounds! None hears!

run searching do/n the corridors #or .ou%ut .ou2re not here! choes moc7 ane/!

s this a""2s meant . si"ence, this>

&he vio"ence o# sti""ness! 0ea#-mute "iss!

'n co"d, meta""ic /a""s, press a 7issnd rea"i?e the sur#aces are g"ass

irrors 2ve een passing! =e#"ected dreams harass

s #a"" crum"ing, staring at the mass

'# moc7ing memories that stare right ac7$ see .ou! e! &hen a"" goes "ac7!

3-1-86

*

9eat% Dloud

;he said she hoped #or peace #or a"" man7ind,

ade possi"e . man2s deep-do/n good /i"",nd sorro/ed /hen to"d her she /as "ind

&o man2s inorn desire to maim and 7i""!

'ne universe united under one "arge "a/$Her dream, and dream o# count"ess men e#ore


56/323

ho "oo7ed at "i#e and made e"ieve the. sa/

%e.ond man2s greed and "ust #or gore!

%esides, /or"d "a/ meant /or"d po"ice and #ear,

to"d her gent"., and she hated meFor hinting her utopia /ou"d not appear!

For chec7s and a"ances on "a/ rings "iert.--

%ut sti"" at "east /e oth agreed to dread

&he poison mushroom "ooming overhead!8-G-5 (rev! 5--8)

9eat% of a Don1ueror

(19-199)

0id /e murder Iohn a.ne /ith our nuc"ear dust>

&he 0u7e /as invinci"e /henHe /on or"d ar in the #i"ms /e a"" 7ne/,

surrogate #ather ac7 then!

0id /e murder Iohn a.ne> as it a"" the ad scripts>

'r cancer, #rom taEes /e paid>0id he "ac7 the true grit to survive #rom a it

'# #a""out our precious oms made>

0id /e murder Iohn a.ne> '##icia"s sa. no,

&hose nuc"ear tests /ere ris7 #ree!

Li7e Iohn, to us .outh, ureaucrats te"" the truth

n this nuc"ear "and o# the Free!16-19-86

**&he incidence o# cancer in the cast o# The on"#eror(195G)

Fi"med in Ctah is G5P aove the nationa" average!*

9eat% 2ings

host-ird #"apping "oud,

Li7e a rust"ing, charne" shroud

;tri7es .our /indo/ #rame,

;creeching .our "ast name!193

*

9eem:er !3y

&he moon is misted /ith rain,

nd moon-tears dri"e and drain&he "ength o# the s7.! &he. #a""nto the %ig 0ipper, that catches them each and a""!

16-9-8

*

9eeption

&he emera"d grass is high,nd si"ver de/drops g"a?e


57/323

%eneath the pa"e go"d s7.

here unicorns sti"" gra?e!

&heir horns are ivor.,nd m.thica", it2s true$

%ut shut .our e.es, and see

&hem rea" as me and .ou!

19*

9ediation

Faded roses sad". #"ung,raves and ghosts and grue

From antiDue a""adr., no/ sung

'ne more time #or .ou!

193*

9ediation of @o8e

(For ar. =ose)

+our mother is someone "ive #or and "ove,

;o come, "itt"e chi"d, and sit do/n neEt to me,

nd te"" me, did pa"e go"den stars up aove:aint .our hair the ha"o o# .e""o/ see>

+our cur"s are #ringing .our #orehead /ith "ight

&he co"ors o# p"anets that me"t /ith the green

'# .our e.es, reminding me, through ga?e serene+ou /i"" spea7 o# m. "ove, to .our mother tonight!

aress her /ith 7isses o# innocent #ire,

+our hair and .our "ips gent". carr.ing m. desire,

nd /hen she sees .our "ove has gained something ne/;he2"" trem"e and /onder and murmur a #e/

;o#t /ords in an ans/er to "ove2s gent"e 7iss,And stro$ing yo#r %#rls, she&ll whis'er to yo#( )remo*e+

hose "ove are .ou ringing to me> s it his>8-65-8



#romDes Vers(188)*

9ediatory

Faded roses sad". #"ung,

raves and ghosts and grue,

nvocations


58/323

3-9

*

9elila% Goes 9aning

Her ama sa.s, 0aughter, ta7e care /hen .ou2re dancing, the o.s,

&he. don2t step on .our #eet,

%e #ast on .our toes! ear .our ver. est c"othes,+ou never 7no/ /ho .ou might meet!

ause "i#e is a a""room, and .ou2re at the center,

ith .our dress and .our prett. red hair!

;o get out there and dance, "i7e a paperac7 romance,Mause .ou ust might meet Fred staire!

%ut the a""rooms /ere c"osed, and disco /as over,

&hough in &eEas the. sti"" "i7e to s/ing!&he #idd"es enchant her, and the co/o.s the. dance her,

nd one o# them o##ers his ring!

He2s not ig in catt"e, no, and he2s got no oi" /e"",

%ut he2s got a &eEas si?e grin!

;he2s in the #ami". /a.


59/323

0emora, a"" too "ate! Futi"it. remains! "" e"se is through!

For :oetr. deserted me, months ago! ;he "e#t no tears,

%ut hinted at a .ounger "over she desired!

Her "ove #or me ("i7e mine #or .ou, 0emora), no/2s eEpired!

A!

@@@@@@@@@!!1-13-86

*

9epression

+our s7. is shado/ed /ith a tom-dar7 c"oud

&hat dims our #uture2s #a""ing, #aint #ar star,

nd a"" .our pain /raps us in co"d thic7 shroud,&i"" /ho .ou /ere is cho7ed . /ho .ou are!

&he #"ame o# "ove that #"ic7ered go"den-red

s gre.-"ac7 ashes in .our #ro?en sou",

s .ou /ish .ou cou"d s"eep, #orever, dead

nd dream"ess, "i7e the "ove &ime sa/ and sto"e!%ut .et, ho/ever "ea7 the #ire"ess s7.,

sha#t o# od-"ight ursts and urns up high,

nd g"o/s on .ou amid the grimmest gre.!nd i# .ou #ind the death #or /hich .ou pra.,

+ou2"" damp and dar7en ever.od.2s da.$

;o an. #riends, not ust , /i"" /eep their grie# a/a.!

G-6-G . u. de aupassant (185-1893)


#romDes Vers(188)

*

9esert

%"ood. rose-red sun,or. drops that run

rimson on the s7.,

&i"" the. sca and dr.!

Later, moonshine pa"es

;7ies as sun"ight #ai"s,

nd the dus7 rings night,

Free?ing a"" the "ight!19G8

*

9eser8edly

poet2s a thie# /ith a 7ni#e,

utting o## pieces o# "i#e

%e"onging to /oman or man,=unning as #ast as he can!

poet2s a sin-happ. saint,"o/n covered up /ith green paint,


60/323

sadist, a so"dier, a #oo"


61/323

onsists o# "ess

na".sis, and more o# trust

n Him ho #ashioned us #rom dust!

1986*

9ifferene

Litt"e gir"s aren2t "itt"e o.s,

&he. don2t ma7e noise,

e"", not Duite as much

hen the. reach to touch0e"icate ne/ to.s!

198

*

9inner

&ime is the vampire that suc7s the .ears dr.,

Love is the maiden to dieB

&ime is the ghou" and .our "i#e is the mea"=ich /ith a gourmet appea"!

urtains o# purp"e are shredded /ith rot,#ter the anDuet, .ou2ve got

Nothing ut age and the end o# .our "oveB

&ime-vu"tures circ"e aove!

-6-*

9iso8ery

!

. #avorite o.hood oo7s portra.ed rusades,

&hose g"orious strugg"es #or the Ho". &om,hen hristian raver. and "ades

ondemned the os"ems to a gor. doom!

Jing =ichard, Lion-Hearted, severed nec7s'# enemies to de#t". ma7e

victor2s nec7"ace, dripping crimson spec7s

From heathen heads, cut o## #or Iesus2 sa7e!

nd so #ancied /as some o"d 7ing,

nd #or a s/ord too7 stic7 in hand

nd made m. /ooden /eapon s"ash and sing,&o scatter heads o# #"o/ers on the "and!

For /as "ord o# trees and open air,

nd scorned the cast"ed 7ings 2d never seen!

&o raise a throne, made a moss. chair,nd /ore a cro/n o# #ronds, o# pri" green!

!


62/323

reigned resp"endent in m. 7ingdom ti""

;omeone as .oung as me, /a"7ed in on me!

;he made m. #ee"ings over#"o/ and spi"" #e"t the /a. o"umus did, to vie/

&hose #irst enchanted is"ands that he #ound!

-G-G (rev! 11-6G-9)

. u. de aupassant (185-1893) First ng"ish trans"ation

#romDes Vers(188)

*

9ispat% from


63/323

t2s damned good advice ut the 7ind .ou ignore,

+ou smi"e and .ou2re 7eeping right on "i7e e#ore,

&hat go"den dream is .our rea"it.!

0on2t "et .our dreams get a/a. #rom .ou,

&here2s nothing that2s Duite as true

s a dream o# .our o/n


64/323

nside the %ritish o"onies thic7 section

'# m. o.hood stamp co""ection!

G-15-8

*

9ream 9eat%

;i"ver-"imed "ad. #"oats past in a dream,%od. as so#t as /arm cream,

nd her voice "i7e a mando"in!

h. does she visit me on". in s"eep,h. can2t capture and 7eep

Her so#t hair, and her satin s7in>

Faint as a #eather, she2s "o/ing a/a.


65/323

&he shore"ine o# =omance!

5-G-9

*

9ream-Hill

(18G3-19)

&he #airies #ace a moon&hat dims and pa"es,

nd chant their ancient tune

'# =oman a"es!

&he .ster. /i"" "ast$

For /e sti"" need

&he rai" and g"ories past,

nd dreams to read!

;o rthur achen2s art

i"" murmur on,

&i"" a"" the e"ves depart,

&i"" :an is gone!8-3-6

*

9rifter

(in memor.$ %"iss arman, 18G1-1969)

ive me the road and give me the rain,ive me the high/a. pain,

ive me the heat, and the chi""iness o## the sea$

Hot or #ro?en, /et or parched! Aagaond-#ree!

G-5-8*

9riftwood

Lost is a "and on". 7no/

n m. dreams$

Farm"and and #urro/s, ro/ on ro/,

;i"ver streams!

%arns and the #ences, stretching out,

Li7e "ong arms,

"utching the roads and rura" route&o the #arms!

+et must #o""o/, /here m. oots;tride and shi#t,&ossed "i7e a tree /ith ripped-out roots,

%"o/n, adri#t!

1-31-G

*

9um:-!%ow

:uppets pouting, cursing,


66/323

;nar"ing on the stage,

anic marionettes rehearsing

omedies o# rage!

:uppet-master eaming

Let the sho/ go on,

gnore the oos and screaming--

0ance ti"" &ime is gone!

:uppet-master /or7ing

;trings unti" the. #ra.,

:ainted mani7ins stop er7ing$urtain on the p"a.!

-3- (rev! 9-13-9)

*

Eart%-Arson

(#or arie" ng)

&he demon sits astride a star

nd rides it do/n the s7.!nd #rom the p"anet /here /e are

e /ave as he shoots .

He""o, miEed /ith good.e!

s he returning here or not>

Nood. seems to 7no/!

&he earth is me"ting, mo"ten hot,&i"" #"ames "eap #rom the g"o/!

&he demon2s #au"t, 7no/4

9-11-8

*

Eart%1ua3e

&rem"e in .our mind,ash .our teeth,

Let the panic grind

0reams eneath!

;hudder at the sound

onscience ma7es$

"" .our so"id ground

;hi#ts and rea7s!3-6-5

*

Easily Found

&here2s a "and that is "ost, an.od. can #ind$

Fo""o/ the #air. stream

&hrough #orests o# #a"e, ac7 in .our mind,n the countr.side #u"" o# dream!

'h, so eas. to trave" and /ander ac7 home,'ver the .ears once more,


67/323

here the e"ves and tro""s are teasing the gnome,

&r.ing to ma7e him roar!

8-8-3

*

East Nas%8ille Fire on +t%!treet

House urned up one night,Fami". /as not inside,

didn2t 7no/ ho/ much the. cried,

Loo7ing at the charcoa"ed sight,

n that crue"est morning "ight!

Not the on". one,

'ne more stands a "oc7 a/a.,

;i"ent"., as i# to sa.'nce the att"e /as egun

Fire, and not .our /ater /on!

-9-8

*

Eastland A8enue

&he amer o# autumn is tinting the trees%ro/n /ith a varnish o# go"d

From the sun-#a""! risp, dr., ritt"e "eaves so#t". die

Li7e an un#inished stor. ha"#-to"d!

&he "eaves are "i7e pages that nood. reads,

%"o/ing indi##erent on /ind

n ;eptemer, "i7e /aste paper scattered in haste!

%arren trees, "i7e m. passions$ a"" thinned!9-6-86

*

Easy @o8er

No one ever stops the seasons,

No one made o# #"esh and one,

No one te""s .ou ha"# the reasons$M%etter "earn them on .our o/n!

Li#e is "i7e an eas. "over,

Lo.a" ti"" it2s time to "eaveBLater, /hen .ou2re thin7ing o# her,

&a7e a "itt"e time to grieve!

&reat her "i7e a "ad. through"ear and c"oud. .ears$

ven i# she2s cheated .ou,

&han7 her #or her time and tears!

Li#e is "i7e an eas. "over,

No one te""s .ou /hat she2s #or$

Iust as soon as .ou discover,Love her, /hen she cries #or more!


68/323

-68-G8

*

E%o

hear a ho/"ing o# n#init.

( mi""ion i""ions/orth o# .ears),

. ears=evererating the immensit.

'# spatia", "ue-"ac7 void that spans

mu"tiverse that d/ar#s this earthen spec7 o# an2s!

199 (=ev! 11-11-9)*

E%oes

:eop"e have to "earn

'"d, o"d things once more,

+ears revo"ve, return,

=epeat


69/323

&he /aters ec7on "i7e some /oman2s opa" e.es,

&he sp"ashing on the roc7s is "i7e a siren2s sighs,

nd dra/s m. #eet straight do/n the sea-/a"" stairsB

%ehind@ the "irar.B ahead@the peace#u" /etnd /e"come /ater /here soon /i"" "et

'"ivion remove a"" care!

G-6G-8

*

Edgar Allan Poe

(189-189)

n the vau"ted mauso"eum hear the shrie74

ade"ine is /resting #ree

From her tom-tied agon.!

Hear the rapping, tapping o# the =aven-ea7,

=h.ming at .our chamer door

&rite"., trite"., Nevermore!

Hear the necrophi"ic, dream-drugged poet spea7ith ineriated reath$

C"a"ume@Lenore@=ed 0eath4

onder at his "ust #or /asting, /aning, /ea7

ing /omen, "ood"ess-/hite,

Li7e Airginia, e.es 0eath-right!

(Li7e his /i#e, e#ore his sight! alternate line)

:onder /h. he on". "ived to search and see7

0eath herse"#, and "oved her true!

;/eetest temptress that he 7ne/!

3-15-5*

Elaine Et%ereal

(#or arge %! ;imon)

g"impsed .ou stro""ing as .ou a"/a.s used to do,race#u" as a p"a.#u" ree?e

'n the 7no"" a"ive /ith "i"ies, .esterda.!

+ou /ore that tai"ored shirt o# sai"or-"ue,&attered eans aove .our 7nees

nd .our dust-go"d hair in sunn. disarra.!

rotic /raith, 7no/ .ou2ve een untrue40eath2s the "over /hom .ou p"ease!

He seduced .ou, prett. phantom


70/323

'e. the stead. ro""

'# some strange drum,

&hat ids .our restive sou"ome a/a., come!

Forsa7e .our trivia" "i#e,

0epressing". mundane,nd heed the #air. #i#e

:iping :an2s re#rain!

vacuate this "and,mar7 #or rea"ms un7no/n,

here pin7-/a""ed cast"es stand

He/n #rom cr.sta" stone!

19G8

*

Elftune

(#or ;! ;"atter.)

therea" music cheers the night$

F"ute and tamourine,Fidd"e and a so#t guitar,

usician2s never seen!

Fe. trouadours sta. out o# sight,here the shado/s are$

Litt"e men in go"d and green

ho sing to moon and star!

-9-8 (rev! 199)*

Em:rae

&ime is a "o.a" "over,

Hugging .ou to death!,

Lingering to hover

&i"" .our #ina" reath!

Never mind her madness,

iser. and mi"es,

Jiss a/a. her sadness,emori?e her smi"es!

8-61-3

*

Em:rae *0

ron-/inged ange" /ith riveted /ings

"iding do/n stee"-co"ored s7iess #ashioned o# girders and concrete and ric7,

F"oating to/ard .ou! +ou thri"" /hen she sings,

;/eet as a ac7-hammer


71/323

&he nge" descends , and industria" #umes

Eha"e #rom her "ips! opper nostri"s shoot spumes

'# vapor


72/323

*

Esape

vening /as draping dar7

;hrouds o# .esterda.,

;mothering it /ith star7

;heets o# "ac7 and gre.!

No/ the open graves o# night

Free the da/n once more$

orning moves in roes o# "ightFrom the night-tom2s door!

3-1G-5

*

Essential Persistene

&he /isdom o# the /ind is motion,

andering ecstatic, .et su"ime!

&he charit. o# rain is "aving "otion,"eansing residues o# uran grime!

&he genius o# the sun is searing passion


73/323

'r up the mountains /here the tunes have sta.ed

hange"ess, #or t/o hundred .ears o# song!

&his ng"o-e"tic minstre"s. can never die

;o "ong as mando"ins and #idd"es cr.&heir p"aintive songs o# true, true "ove turned /rong


74/323

16-1-8G

*

Et%ial $peration

&ransp"ant the organs, one . one,

nd /hen the surger. is done

&rans#er the most important part$ conscience to his heart!

16-19-8

*

E8aporation

2m dreaming .our #ace in the si"ver. da/n,

n opa"ine image o# /hite,vanescent". #aint, "i7e a hand-painted saint,

:ious". pa"e in the "ight!

/orship#u"". /ait #or the sharpening "ines

&o c"ari#. #eatures o# .ou,%ut p"anes in .our #ace are disso"ving in space,

nd another du"" da. starts ane/!

8-3-86*

E8ening in !pring

(He /i"" e a rationa" man, ut perhaps never happ.!)

&he pri" moon arrives

e"ting us /ith its ra.s,

%ut nothing "ong survives,Nothing o# pri" da.s,

Nothing o# Love2s rie# "a?e!

&he pri" moon departs!ist. /ith ;pring-sad rain,

nd /e /ith #a"se starts

;u##er our moon-made pain,

Lovers /ho 7issed in vain!3-1-9

*

E8ensong

;teep"e s"ashed /ith shado/s

;ca"es the t/i"it s7.,spiring "i7e an nge"us!%e"o/, the tra##ic hurt"es .

ndi##erent to ric7s upthrust so high!

191

*

E8ermore

Hammers o# hate eat the stee"


75/323

nto a he"met and "ade!

%"ac7smiths and armorers #ee"

:roud o# the death-ound rigade!

arching past cro/ds on the cur,

"attering hee"s on the stones!

Later, the cro/s /i"" distur

F"esh as it ripens on ones!

:reachers and :opes prate o# peace,

:o/er"ess to change histor.$

:o/der, and guns /rapped in greaseuger /hat a"/a.s /i"" e!

9-1-

*

E8erytown U!A

hi"dren /hom the schoo"s can2t teach,

Nor the courts can2t reach


76/323

*

E5posed

+ou rea"". #ee" too deep,

+ou "et .our sorro/s seep

Cp the #issures in .our sou"$

0o/n .our #ace the. ro""!1981

*

E5termination

stand indi##erent to rat-nosed &ime /ho gna/s,

stride o"ivious to &ime2s "a/s,

His ravenous, remorse"ess .ears2 assau"t!&he rat2s teeth sin7! &hen ha"t!

. "eg /ithstands, impervious to #angs o# &ime!

c7no/"edging that rodent is a crime!

&he vermin soon is mashed eneath m. hee"&o grease! &here


77/323

*

Fait% *0

have c"ung "o.a" to m. dear poetic "ine,

ts sti"ted constanc.,

ts arti#icia", a"" too #ine

;ti##ened s.mmetr.!

For t/ent. .ears it has een tru". mine,

# orro/ed #rom e#oreB

'"d Duatrains in the Duaint designodernists ahor!

1986

*

Fait%ful in His Fas%ion

(18G-19)

rnest 0o/son /as a singer o# the saddest, tritest tune,

'# the #a/ning, #uti"e "ove that poets "ame upon the moon,nd his ".rics a"" /ere painted on the margin o# the page,

;o his /ater-co"ored "ines /ere are". noticed . his ge!

ine-and-roses, and .nara, #"oating "onesome in the air

'# the #ogg. .e""o/ Nineties, in a ;oho restaurant /here

n ta"ian #ic7"e /aitress crac7ed a poet2s dream, .et made

His eEDuisite, #ragi"e verses, #aint". #"o/er, not to #ade!-1-6

*

Fait%ful in My Fas%ion

(ugust 6, 193, Le/isham emeter., ; London)

dreamed sa/ the grave o# rnest 0o/son

%"ea7". setn some #orgotten church.ard corner,

Lone and /et!

&he spectra" London #og descended co"d on;entr. grass

here se"dom an. visitors or pi"grims

0eign to pass!

nd in m. reverie rave". scattered

=oses there,

nd #e"t a #rai" and /isp. &han7 .ouarm the air!6-1-9 (rev! G-68-8)

*

Fall Melody

&here2s music in the reath o# ree?e

Eha"ing /ith a /isp. /hee?e&hat scatters "eaves on #orest #"oor


78/323

nd has one hundred .ears or more

n singing autumns "ong e#ore!

hundred autumns o# so#t /ind, hundred times it2s thinned

&he ranches o# their "eaves, ti"" are$

hundred autumn-times the air

nd trees have chorused there!1-68-9

*

Fall !%owers

;ummer /eeps and grieves,

=ain-tears moisten "eaves,

'ctoer gre. rep"aces "ue


79/323

%ut sti"" read

&he /arning signs that p"ead

For us to heed!

'ur age has come

&o "ove the dinning drum,

nd u""ets2 hum!

+et sti"" can

Hear happ. tunes o# :an

No oms, can an!

11-9-*

Far Plae

&ime is a tunne" o# #ears,

Funne"ing .ears

0o/n a spira" o# dar7ening dread

&/isting ahead!

;ome/here the passage ends,

#ter it ends

i""ions o# "a.rinthine turns$;ome/here an "earns!

;ome/here and somep"ace /e #ind

e2ve een ut "ind%urro/ing rutes in the devi"2s night,

;hunning hrist2s "ight!

3-16-G (rev! G-66-9)

*

Farewell

=eoice4 &he cava"cade o# dreams arrives,Fancies, dreads, mirages too,

&he "egend-"aden caravan unpac7s


80/323

Farewell @yrista

&he sp"it in the /a""s o# &imeidens, and .ou /a"7 through

orridors, eons, ne/@

h. can2t come /ith .ou>

Cp to/ering heights .ou c"im

;ee7ing in#init.

Far, in a s7.-"ac7 sea@

Le#t here on arth is me!

nd .ou hear the centuries2 chime,

aro"ing, one . one,

&o""ing our time2s, no/ done$Hope that is "e#t@is none!

For no/ that .ou2ve vanished, 2m

:ining in this "ea7 p"ace,

0reaming aout .our #aceLost


81/323

&he runt o# instant, tropic torrent-rains,

here irds and ro.a" "egend2ries

omine! =ude roc7 =edonda4 No man sta.s

For "ong upon .our cactused crags, and .et--e c"ose our e.es, and g"impse .our gre.s

nd ro/ns$ our mpire /here no sun has set!

=edonda$ rea"m o# "o.a", eEi"ed sou"s

nvisioning .our c"i##s and si"ver s7ies,+our sur#, .our shoa"s, /here tide upro""s

=eu##ing mariners amid the sea-ird cries@

=edonda! Ouaint, DuiEotic 7ingdom, #ar

nd a"/a.s ver. near to /here /e are!6-15-81

*

Feat%er on t%e !ea

t /asn2t ver. "ong ago &omorro/ /as m. #riend,

Li#e /as "i7e a river ro""ing "a?. Mround the end!

asting time and then #ound that &ime /as /asting me$

&oo7 me and it tossed me "i7e a #eather on the sea!

Fo""o/ing a #ading star 7no/ 2"" never #ind,

Li7e a drun7en sai"or never "oo7ing once ehind!F"oating "i7e a #eather on an ocean #u"" o# #oam$

'ne more dream-struc7 dri#ter /hose hori?ons are his home!

Feather on the sea, that2s me, /ithout +ou,Iesus rescue me #rom the sea--ta7e me through!

Feather on the sea!

+ou can e m. compass /ith +our /isdom and +our /i"",Iesus he"p me trave" /hen #ee" 2m standing sti""!

+ou can e m. map and he"p me reach that #ar o## shore$He"p me /eather ever. storm no matter /hat2s in store!

&i"" #ound +ou /as on an ocean o# despair,

Csing up m. #uture "i7e it rea"". /asn2t there!

Facing ever. /ind o# #ate no matter ho/ it "e/$

Feather on the sea /ithout a #riend ti"" #ound +ou!

Feather on the sea, that2s me, /ithout +ou!

Iesus rescue me #rom the sea--ta7e me through!

Feather on the sea!19G8 (=ev! -, 198G)

*

Feeding Plae

Au"tures in a ring

irc"e .esterda.;/ooping do/n to ring

Cp their d.ing pre.$

Love that died a/a.!


82/323

Love that &ime had s"ain

'n the desert sand$

e""-pic7ed ones remain

s the vu"ture-andForages "ove2s "and!

6-6-5

*

Feeding "ime

F"oating on the a.

'# greenre seen

0ragon sna7es at p"a.!

rcing through the air&he. thrive,

nd dive

0o/n on sai"ors there!

;ee them s"ide and s"ip'n the dec7

'# the /rec7

&hat /as once a ship!6-3-5

*

Fiend Fodder

;at.rs pa/ and hoo#,

"ves dance on .our roo#,

ere/o"ves /ai" and /oo#!

Loo7 out in the night,ater-/itch and sprite

0ance in s/amp-gas "ight!

0o/n e"o/ the road

here the #oE-#ire g"o/ed,

Hear the demon-toad!

ra/" ac7 in .our ed!

Later da/n rea7s red$

&/o more co/s are dead!G-6G-

*

Fifty 6ears

t the ancient ur.ing-ground,

;pirits overhead

Hover happi". aroundardens o# the dead!

Night". "iving "overs comeOuiet to that p"ace,


83/323

"" the phantoms #"utter #rom

&here /ithout a trace!

Lovers ta7e and use the night,one e#ore the da/n

Leaves a mourning-/reath o# "ight

'n the mar"ed "a/n!

Lovers "eave e#ore the "ac7

;7. returns to "ue$

Fi#t. .ears, and the.2"" e ac7

&here as spirits too!G-6-

*

Fifty-Per Dent

He put ten .ears on her e.es in a sing"e morning!

He didn2t do much to her eEcept /a"7 a/a.!

He never raised a hand and he never raised too damned much mone.!

%ut he "e#t her #i#t.-per cent o# his #ina" pa.!

;he2s ho"ding t/o os and she2s ho"ding her "itt"e heart together

&he chi"dren ma7e their o/n eds and rea7#ast, too!&he /omen2s maga?ines provide advice


84/323

;"o/". his s/ord-arm is "osing its strengthB

hist"ing arro/s are "eaping the "ength

;panning the distance #rom o/-string to chest,

ncirc"ing his reast "i7e a #eather-ared vest!

;agging to sand in a poo" o# rich red,

;hutting his e.es, he imagines instead

aidens espra/"ed on a si"7en divan@Aa"ha""a entices the sou" o# this man@

198 (rev! 16-69-9)

*

Fill Up A Glass Full of Memories

Here2s to the heroes /ho2ve "e#t us,

n /ar-time


85/323

ho /rote it! 0one4 0one4

-1-81

*

Fire !torm

ncient cit. /a""

:innac"ed so ta""%egins to crum"e, crac7 and #a""

n the shuddering, rute "ast!

;oon the side/a"7s sha7e%ui"dings shi#t and rea7

mid the rmageddon-Dua7e

&i"" even od2s aghast!

9-6- (rev! 8-63-8)*

First Aid

ut the cancer,Lance the oi",

'i" the rash,

ash the unnatura" gro/thsnside .our sou"!

nd sp"ash on sentiment, a#ter/ard$

heap antiseptic, ut it /on2t sting!8-16-6

*

Fisal Ad8ie

oming c"ose means nothing!Ninet.-nine per cent

Duates to ?ero /hen od ta""iesCp .our "i#etime2s rent!

;o a"/a.s pa. comp"ete".!

&r. to e on time,"se ;atan /i"" #orec"ose .ou,

7ing ever. dime

5-1-96

*

Fi8e "%irty P.M.

&he #ire #i""ing a#ternoon s7.%"a?es right roseB

=ed co"orings #"o/er then die,

#ternoon purp"e@then goes!

198*

Flame Feast


86/323

oth upon the /ing$

:oet orn to sing,

F"utters to/ard the right

%"iss inside the "ight!

;ee them turn to ash,

F"aring in a #"ash,

ing"ess, song"ess, dead$;o the #"ames are #ed!

8-65-1

*

Flame Future

;hapes in the #ire come and go@

!:! ;hie", :hor#or,

ha'es in the Fire (198G)(#or Iohn 0! ;Duires)

.ps. tunes at an. open #ire,

Faces #orm in the smo7. spire,

Li7e ghosts o# the &hings-to ome,

F"ames revea"ing .our +et-to-%e,

;himmering images, musica"".n time /ith the mando"in strum!

1985

*

Flames

+our #ace #ades into its vei",

;pider-/e pa"e,%ut /e ta"7 id". o# oo7s,

Not o# .our "oo7s!

+our od. is smo"dering right,F"esh /i"" ignite,

nd .ou as7 hat have read>

"" has een said!

1-8-*

Flaming Prose

(#or =a. %radur.)

He dared to /rite another oo7,

#ter the "ast one urned,e marve"ed at the chance he too7,:roud that he hadn2t "earned!

&he media-po"ice arrived,

Lighting the gaso"ine,#raid i# one more oo7 survived

'thers /ou"d e seen!

-9-8*


87/323

Flas%-(a3s at Forty-$ne

(#or har"ie Le/is)

emories sharpen /ith hastening .ears@

;and-oE and shove" and to.s

nd tree-#orts and pran7s, and m. ;unda.-schoo" than7s,

Litt"e o. .earnings and o.s!

Later, &om ;a/.er2s the /ou"d-e 0on Iuan,

High/a.s, and one-night hote"s!

heap eer at the ar! nd an un"uc7. starLighting those #urnished room he""s!

Fina""., #aces o# "ong-ago #riends

Focus, recede and returnB'ne dead and some /ed@souvenirs in m. head!

%ri""iant memories urn

;/eeter than incense, /ithin the mind2s urn!

8-6-86

*

Flig%t

:er#ection in a verse has ic. shape!

=e#rigerated #orm too co"d to #ee"!

;o turn a/a., e##ecting .our #ast escape

From untha/ed art, too chi"" and #unerea"!6-3-86

*

Flogged

. e.es are staed /ith spi7e-point stars,. heart is #"amed . gaseous suns,

. #ace is carved /ith /ind-/hipped scars,. eardrums puncture #rom the thunder2s guns!

. dreams divide /ith earth Dua7e crac7s,

2m uried in vo"canic ash---From /anting .ou! Love #ra.s and /rac7s

. sou" eneath its studded "ash!

-6-83

*

Flower-9eat%

(#or hristopher Lee, 1966- )

!

ast"e o# crimson is to/ered

High on the c"i##s in thic7 mist,here the reddening roses are #"o/ered,

"utched in the mountainside2s #ist!

&he roses are red as the curtain


88/323

Hung in the dim dining room

'# the vampires! &he. drin7 deep, uncertain@

;ensing incipient doom!

%"ood #rom the turret top drains do/n,

iving the roses their shadeB

:easants e"o/ in the p"ains to/n

ross themse"ves thrice, sti"" a#raid!

!

&hen$ a priest is victorious;ca"ing the c"i## a"" a"oneB

nd the roses o# "ood, once g"orious,

:o/der to gre. "i7e a one!

ar"ic and crosses and torches

%urn out the pesti"ence there

nd peasants can see #rom their porches

=ose-co"ored #"ames in a #"are!

1-1-*

Flus%

&he p"anet is a toi"et #or the human race2s /aste,

'ur toEins poison "and and air, and sea,

%ut "uc7i". /e2ve p"ans #or some roc7ets to ship an2stomic turds in space perpetua"".!

6-61-83

*

Flying 9ut%man

&ime is not a hearse,

t2s ust a ship%earing .our est verse

'n one "ong trip!

-1-3

*

Flying 9ut%man *0

&ime is not a hearse,t is a s7e"eton-manned ship,

ts cargo .our est verse

ts chart"ess course a trip&hrough he""ish sun and ga"es that /hip,vading po"ar iceerg2s grip

irage-"i7e vesse" vague". seen

n"aced /ith 7e"p ;argasso-green!

1991*

Foliage

(&he Ho"d Aehm o# estpha"ia)


89/323

;/ords o# the %rotherhood, unsheathe and s"ash,

He"mets o# enemies crashB

%"ades o# the 'rder, /rite ustice in red$Aengeance drips right /here it "ed!

%rothers-in-arms s/orn to vio"ent pacts

;ea"ed /ith the gore o# their actsander the high/a.s to rope up some thieves,

o"oring trees "i7e red "eaves!

3-

*

Fond Frig%t

Legends "ive$itches give

ic7ed, /ithered "oo7s

From o"d oo7s!

Fair. rings,0evi" /ingsB

;nugg"e do/n so deep,

&r. to s"eep!

0emons range

Forth #rom strange

mpt. mar"e toms&o/ard .our rooms!

a7e, and thri""


90/323

&he gates o# &ime .a/n ac7,

nd "et the seas o# "ac7

=ushing tida" /aves&urn cities into graves!

t"antis /ent e#ore,

nd soon our southern shoreHe"ps the ges 7eep

&heir promise /ith the 0eep!

6-18-6

*

Fore8er

&he centuries /ind .'n histor.2s grim s7.

%"ood. red /ith stars,

nd armies #or a"" time

nact the ancient ritua" crime


91/323

&he vau"t ho"ds an unha""o/ed urn

Fu"" o# vampire2s remains$

&he ashes are centuries o"d,

omining /ith #oE-#ire and mo"doistened #rom overhead drains,

oming a"ive /hen it rains!

5-3-8

*

Fort Negley at Nas%8ille

(#or Ioe Ha.s, i""ie Je.s)

&he co"or o# the #ort is green toda.,

s #o"iage rends the parapets o# stone

Li7e +ucatan or ng7or-at@a"" gro/n

ith ung"ed trees, /here rampant /eeds ho"d s/a.!

&he uni#orms o# "ue are gone a/a.,

nd gone, the s/eating "ac7s /ho heaved in p"ace

&he hand-he/n roc7s! &heir proud indentured race

=eared /a""s to ho"d the troops o# gre. at a.!

&he ivi" ar /as "ost as /e"" as /on

%. a"" o# them! For "ac7


92/323

&o open #ire among

&he men /ho ma7e .ou serve!

Cnti" the vo""e.s #a""nd turn us a"" to dust,

+ou2"" a"" oe. the ca""

%ecause /e sa. .ou must!

16-66-G*

Four


93/323

No/ he /as eighteen /hen he oined up /ith Ouantri"" to #ight in that sad ivi" ar,

&he. rode into La/rence


94/323

%ut the. turned the mission o# the "amo into a heroes2 grave!

;usannah 0ic7inson, a "ad. #rom &ennessee


95/323

=eading .ou ane/

Ecept to marve" ho/ .our c"osing door

as shut so so#t".! ;ut"e .ou!

&he tact#u"ness in ever. "ine

issed me /a. ac7 then!

+our dignit. inde"i". divine@

&han7s come s"o/ #rom certain men!16-6-81

*

Frost 9irge

+ou scatter songs upon the ree?e

'# ugust, casting a""

+our ".rics and .our a.-time me"odies/a., e#ore Fa""

0escends /ith deso"ating pa""!

+ou hear .our tunes on autumn ga"es,

n anshee-echoed sound'# "ate Novemer! usic /ai"s

n moc7er. as storm-gusts pound!

+our summer chords cannot e #ound!

&he dirge o# /inter-time comp"etes

'"ivion o# a"" .ou2ve sung!

0ecemer /eather2s /ind de#eats+our muse! ith ice, .our ".re is hung,

ts #rost-snapped strings unstrung!

+our s"eet-ee/e"ed 0eath2s head strives to sing&hrough &ime-c"enched teeth! %ut no notes ring!

1986*

Fro?en Rose

e cast a/a. our rose,

%orne upon the ree?e&hat carries /ith it those

;ummer memories!

'ur /ind-orne rose descends,:eta"s #"oating do/n,

nd summer "ove no/ ends

Li7e a rose turned ro/n!

&here2s rose-dust at our #eet,

utumn in our hearts

&hat turns to sno/ and s"eet$

Love2s "ong /inter starts!-6-9

*

Full Dirle


96/323

F". the #"ag o# #ur. high

'n the red-/ashed s7.,

&rumpet a"" .our anger "oudt the cringing cro/d,

mpt. a"" .our cannon at

&hem, and the. #a"" #"at!

Later, rea"i?e that .ou

Have to su##er too$

o/ardice and death can #a""

'n .ou a#ter a""B0rop .our attered, "ood. "ade,

ishing that .ou2d pra.ed!

19G8

*

Furled Flowers

&he red sa"via co"ors our "a/n,

Later their #"ags are /ithdra/ns the /inter arrives and destro.s

nnocent, red-#"o/er o.s!

-6-8*

Future "ransportation

Levitation ma. e ho/

2"" ourne. over times and /or"ds a/a.,

;a#er than the high/a. no/

trave" ever. da.!

a.e, too, m. sou" /i"" soarach night e.ond the spheres o# space,

oming home again e#ore&he da/n-"ight stri7es m. #ace!

1-1-8, (=ev!1983)

*

Gadfly

%ac7 and #orth, to and #ro,

Forth and ac7, oth goFro and too, constant".

n search o# e"usive, uncaptura"e e!

8-8*

Galati Got%i

&he ge o# ans ut a rie#, areviated span

'# seconds tic7ing in a moment2s course!

n#init.$ the #ina" sources "i7e a charne" house, /ith c.press tree


97/323

nd .e/ and m.rt"e, gro/ing in the graves o# ;pace,

here decomposes &ime2s o/n #ace!

16-8

*

Gallatin Road

(Nashvi""e)

&he house is so"d! t rought a price

&he o/ners too7 upon advice,

nd /i""ing". moved /or"ds a/a.@

'scene deasement starts toda.!

&oda. the vanda"-sa"vage cre/

rrives to rip up oards and stre/

&he sundered ric7s, and "i#t the doorsFrom hinges, and demo"ish #"oors!

super drugstore /i"" rep"ace

&he house and once again erase

&radition! &hus the g"ass-and-chrome'# :rogress triumphs! 'ne "ess home!

198

*

Ganier Ridge Radnor @a3e "N

Nature a##ronts the arch-modernist


98/323

%eauti#u" to see@not sme""@ thin7!

G-6-8

*

Garden Guests

&he sun#"o/ers rise

gainst the s7ies,nd eager e"ves

"im one-.-one

&o/ard the smi"ing sa##ron sun

&o tan themse"ves!-8-9

*

Gardening

pu"" up /eeds and dig them

'ut . "ade and hand,

&hen gaso"ine #or poisoning

&o root them #rom m. "and!

&he toughest, most resistant

eeds are co"ored "ac7$&he cho7ing dread /ithin m. head!

.an7, ut it gro/s ac7!

1-19-86

*

Gem-!iren

meth.st e.es and a garnet grin%ec7on .ou #rom .our home$

ar"e-/hite /oman /ith star-spun s7in,;himmering in the g"oam!

&ourma"ine #acets o# "ight revo"ve,

.c"es o# da??"ing "iss

%ri""iant". "ind .ou, ti"" .ou disso"ve

Lost in her e/e"ed 7iss!191

*

Geograp%y

# there is Heaven, it "ies right here,

nd not ust some #arther p"ace$&he o.#u" cr.sta" o# a tearHa""o/ing .our #ace!

# there is Hades, it "ies@/here>

rather /ou"d not sa.4Eact "ocation@here> 'r there>

Never as7! +ou 7no/ /hich /a.!

3-18-86*


99/323

George !terling

(18G9-196G)

His verse /as /rought to decorate,

me""ish, g"o/, and shed the great

mmorta" "ight o# some #ar #"agrant sun

&hat #"ares /hen &ime itse"# is done!199

G%osts

'"d "ace and cut g"ass,

ntiDues o# du"" rass$

0im dining room!Loc7ets /ith hair-coi"s,

:ortraits in o"d oi"s,

rac7ed spinning "oom

:aint pee"ing, ta"" /eeds,

House /here o"d &ime #eeds,nd the .ears g"oom!

8-8-G

*

G%oul "reat

Long icic"es #a"", sp"inter'n the gre. co"estones,

nd si"ver shrouds o# /inter

;hie"d the #ro?en ones,

Fro?en, #"esh-#u"" ones!

nd ice-gnomes sDuirm and scurr.'ver moss. toms,

&he.2re hungr. and the. scurr.&o the #easting rooms,

ar"e #easting rooms!

11-1-5

*

Gi::et

&he /itch-tree stands on the hanging-hi""@hi"dren shun it sti""4---

here "ims that "i#ted #"esh to dr.

rithe against du"" s7.!

t2s there m. shamed and convicted 7in

;/ung in a cage #or sin!

&oda.@/e2re cautious in our rites,

He"d on moon"ess nights!1-31-G8

*

Gift


100/323

&hese "ines are #or ar. =ose

&o read /hen up she gro/s,

nd oo7s ecome her treasure chest,nd poems m. esto/ed eDuest!

nd no/ .ou2re on the #irst #resh page

;o set aside .our age,nd act as o"d or .oung as .ou

ou"d "i7e to e$ that ma7es it true!

&he go"den /or"d is ever ne/!1-1-8

*

Gift 2rapped

hristmastime is pac7age-time,

:aper ever./here,

=ions, cards, and string, ti"" 2m

"most ound to s/ear4(;cotch tape in m. hair@)!

16-65-8

*

Glow

randchi"dren


101/323

o gent"e on the "itt"e chi"dren,

'ne da. the.2"" e strong as .ou,

arr. them a"ong /ith .our compassion,

'ne da. the.2"" have chi"dren too!9-3-8

*

Gold Gore

&he roads o# go"d are trave"ed /est

%. rigands /ho /ou"d /rest

&he o"den Jingdom #rom the ho"d'# 7ings /ho c"utch at tarnished go"d!

&he go"den gates are attered in,

%ararians s"ash and /in&he o"den itade" at "ast

here red (on go"den ric7s) runs #ast!

199

*

Gold !ongs

Stephen Richard Eng Fill Up a Glass Full of Memories

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