One
For sanity’s sake I put hands into earth, press
and crumble clods of clay between fingers, push
tiny plants into place, cover their roots, pat
everything smoothly.
For sanity’s sake I put pen to paper, move
words here and there on the plain plane, position
script to enhance meanings obscurely, type
everything smoothly.
For sanity’s sake I pretend there is no past, forecast
no future, simplify this moment before me, order
my thoughts like a general, arrange it all, execute
everything smoothly.
Two
Demons do not follow orders
unrulier than cats they
compare then to now, project
what is fantasy into the future,
propel thoughts through doors
that should stay closed, labeled
if only, remember when, and they
do not believe in Zen.
Three
Today I”ll send the fiends out to play, act as if I am in control of my day, no surfacing of moldy stories, put away the red crayon named war, color the sky anything without the name “blue”.
Four
Let us praise the darkness and the light, the single brave flame that burns so brightly when all else is lost. What does it cost to believe in goodness which is anyways as good as hate. Let us praise those who draw lines to protect what cannot protect itself: child, or land or water, who face hate and name it and yet do not become it. Let us praise the cock that serenades each morning and the crow which cleans the carcasses of the dead at night. Let us rise up with joy despite the wicked and find each and each singing the same song just as do the whales separated by the vast sea yet united by a hymn at once known to all even in its complexity. Let us claim only that which we wish to see as fit for this world – it cannot work any worse than what passes for our actuality now.
1 Comment
First, that sculpture is awesome. I don’t recall seeing this photo before.
Next, I like that these are numbered as they are – particularly like, in Three: “…put away the red crayon named war, color the sky anything without the name “blue”.” Conjurs up many visuals but more deeply seems to be a resolution of sorts, an acceptance. My take on it anyway. I just love the impact of those words.
These are all beautiful. Love that each numbered piece is different in feel and form. Really interesting to read as a whole.