when the song came during washing-up?
Was it being empty of everything
or being full of everything,
when the tourist outside the school door
glanced as if expecting nothing but the good?
Was it being empty of everything
or being full of everything,
when there was nowhere else but here?
Was it being empty of everything
or being full of everything
when there was no when or where
or why or what or how or who?
Who is to say? It was like that. Like that.
a hundred metres away, just fitting intothe camera’s breadth of range,a crowd which signifies rights withheldadvances on you (safe in bourgeois seat…) ,led by a token handsome, flushed, tallkerchiefed man or woman, centre-stage?Today, that’s me – in upraised hand,a Bill of Poets’ Rights… You said,I’m told, that ‘if you were a poet,you would just write…
Yesterday,they dealt with those who did not contribute to the economy.Today,they dealt with those who oppose the government.Tomorrow,they will deal with those who have heard of a better life.Next week,do not be surprised at the truckwith bloodstains on its tailboardat your gate tooting its impatient horn.
and joy can catch you unawaresobituaries: all too often you just wishyou could have known them whenthey were alive and glorious..maybe there’s a place for a specialservice of celebration, memorial, honourfor all those who read their obituaryand wished they’d known them..soget together in their honour in the hopethat something happens..here’s Murray Rogers, died at 89,went…
By grace we are as we are.By grace we shall be as we will be.That’s grace.But what is grace?Grace is what it does.Catch it as it acts; smiles; passes.That too is grace.
said with firm authority, and yetsaid kindly, smiling, thoughtful; as if partof some continued talk about the truth;and as I, listening, look at you, I catchin that sharp-seeing eye, the spark of joy;and at the corners of your mouth, the twitchof heavenly laughter at the comedy –the serious humour – of our earthly wealth;Shakespeare knew…
but was really47,asked to borrow30 dollars,spent the eveningsmoking spliffsand told meshe could seeher therapist’s officefrom the clubwe were in.Then she saidshe was alreadyin love withsomeone else.And alsopregnant.’
