Poems from DRY WATER

IN THIS DIM CAVE
In this dim cave
we can go no further
Here money is key
to smooth age. Horses,
givers of guilt. Great
bags of gold.

I want obedience!

We examine this ancient
& insane theatre, obscene
like luxuriant churches
altars.

I confess
to scarves
cool floors
stroked curtain

The actors are twice-blessed
before us. This is
too serious & severe.

Great mystery!
Timeless passion
patterned in stillness.

---

SEX FOR YOU
Sex for you
was thread
which binds
us even now
on this pale
planet.

To the poet
& cover-girl,
photo in color,
to armies
that join,
out on a desert,
& to Samson
& all his
generals
bound quiet
now w/ exotic
arch-angels
of dusk, in
Sumarian
& N. African
slumbers.

The bazaar is crowded
as dancers thrive.
Snake-wreaths & pleasures.
I take you to a low cave
called "Calipah".

---

STAND THERE LISTENING
Stand there listening
you will hear them
tiny shapes just beyond
      the moon
Star-flys, jarts,
dismal fronds
stirring ape-jaws striving
to make the morning
mail call

Cry owl.
Hark to the wood-vine.
Suckle-snake crawls, gnawing
restive

I know you.
The one who left to go
warning. Wishless now
& sullen. Transfer
deferred.

Steal me a peach
from the orange tree
grove-keeper

She fell.

What are you doing
w/ your hand on her
breast?

She fell, mam.

Give her to me.

Yes, mam.

Go tell the master
what you've done.

They killed him.

Later.

Going up the stairs
handcuffed
to his cell.

A shot-gun blast
Behind the back.

---

UNTRAMPLED FOOTSTEPS

I
Untrampled footsteps
Borderline dreams
Occasion for sinners
alive if it seems
given to wander
alone at the shore
wanton to whisper
I am no more
Am as my heart beats
live as I can
wanton to whisper
faraway sands

II
Now come into my pretty isle
My weary westward wanderer
Faraway is as it seems
& so alone shall shelter
Come along unto my sails
as weary islands go
prosper merry as I went
I shall no more the sailor
Shall I ho the sailor

III
Where were you when I needed you?
Where indeed but in some sheltered
Sturdy heaven; wasted, broken
sadly broke & one thin thing to get us thru

IV
Urchin crawl broke
      spenders bleeders all
brew North
      stained lot
he was lost
      out on an aircraft
high above
      long awkward brewer's
            shelters breed

this ugly crew
      our poisoned jet
god get us love & get
      us speed
To get us home again
      love
Crippled by people
      cut by nothing
Public housing
      the incredible damage
            can be cured

V
She's my girl friend:
I wouldn't tell her
      Name but I think
you already know her
      Name
       is
Square fire insect
marble saffron intro
demi-rag in flames

it's the same game
whether you call it
by her real name

VI
She lives in the city
      under the sea
Prisoner of pirates
      prisoner of dreams
I want to be w/ her
      want her to see
The things I've created
      sea-shells that bleed
Sensitive seeds
      of impossible warships

Dragon-fly hovers
      & wavers & teases
The weeds & his wings
      are in terrible fury

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