reading
the scroll of my noble ruby Damascus
sea
port a thousand years ago
sea
pines gnarl-ing bark
against
the wind
folding
time's reach
through
sin and
the
glory of every tale I tell
of
me in huddled masses
bedding
down for the night
looking
up to the stars
to
give ourselves
maps
through the black fabric
knifed
with their dead light
I
call them stars still
their
rippled waves and mass elections
of
impotency and no appliances
I
am not the valance of my defiance
I
am raw steel wading through the ecstasy of numb
I
am one who wants to feel what taking skin and bone
from
word to tome can deliver to rust
I
am one who wants to see himself beyond reclamation
I
am one who wants to know answers
that
end with shrouded silences
I
am the wrapped body of what I used to be
I
want to be laid with cedar
with
amber burning in pots nearby
I
am manically depressed
my
brain can't handle
what
my soul has undressed
so
I fail when it comes to being a success
but
you reading this may already know that
and
give me over to wooden dummy placation
so close my mouth
there
are no hands behind the curtain
there
are only lies left to find a truth
that
wants nothing to be certain
so
give me back to the ancient tides
wash
my body three times
and
burn my memory beyond recognition
you
out there who know what joy is
cup me with words
as
a poet might say to you
bind
me with the chains
that
thinning desire brings
claim
me as yours
when
the torch of refutation
can
validate your parking fee
do
not acknowledge anything to do with me
and
you will find
that
I am lost again
without
a body
without
a prayer
without
food in the cupboard
without
clothes that bear me
a
style in the seas of conformity
I
am without reserve an undone
a
wasted wine
a
man who has had his time come
and
now just wants you
to
see him say goodbye
EJR
©
I read you everyday. My little corner of salvation from the insanity they call life. My soul's resonant familiarity with your poetry is multidimensional, and for myself this is in symphonic harmony to my ever seeking search beyond the limits others say I should not dare cross over. What is the soul's purpose here on Earth if not reaching the boundless and bringing it back to be gifted to those we love? As always, I look forward to reading you tomorrow.
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