true account

So we only get
so much life, at that

Whenever we sit back 
try to calculate how much
we've got left, those are moments
better spent 

toasting people gone,
times past, who helped make
our lives

something worth 
a laugh

joined course

There wasn't a chance we could go awry 
except every step not knowing why 
until every look between us met 
every reason we knew, which 
we can't forget 

We've had every chance in the book 
plus one. 

The next chance we get, let's 
not call it done. 

Each breath and each step 
you have been always true 
and our guesses lay bets 
we've staked all the way

through 

lit from without

It isn't as if the world's 
so dark, if sometimes 
the light gives us nothing 
to see. It's shot through 
with shades and hues 
and sparks. It stays 

lit from without. 
You're not with me, 
but my eyes keep seeing 
your style and form 
so compatible with 
what's kept us high 

and grounded us far 
under distant stars. 
Every sun comes up 
and around, showing 
why more than where 
and how more than when 

but there's been no question 
of who, my friend. We cannot 
pretend we have not found 

this: this world's lit
from without 

by everything missed
in enduring wish. 

match and mix

I'll be mix
and you'll be match, I'll 
be caught since you're
the catch. Let time
sweep us up in space. 
I'll be yours 

we'll find
our place. 

Even if now seems 
so far. Even if 
so many are
directionless,  
without ways through. 

You'll be my way, 
seafoam spray 
and sunrise
dew

much left

There isn't much left, except what 
we could be
to each other in spite
of what you've meant to me
(too much: I know) minus everything 
done: too bad, for sure

let's show. All for one, cards
on table and no bets laid.

Maybe 
our best chance 
has been left unplayed, 
flying much too 

free

beyond one's control

What's beyond one's control
takes a system from each 
with bottoms and tops 
pivoting like a beast, but 
we're already there!

We've got systems galore
to choose 
from 
which is
which? Well, pick

and run 
more

passable

I subjectify you 
with objective mind
violating taboos
that are none too kind
since it's none of our business
what each feels like, except 
where we're given
to touch
so right

punchline less

A musical spar 
or prong or flange
walked into a bar, and 
there it stands.

The bartender, grim
at accustomed post 
keeps screwing in
light bulbs 
without count, 
pouring nameless 
drinks in proper 
amounts, and 

nodding her head 
in absent mind, 
while the musical 
spar beats
drunken
time

proposing toast 
after toast after
toast

hold on, you

I want to hold you with my arms and hands and eyes and mind, no further plans

mark time

I mark time in smiles 
and laughter like bells
spinning out in the void
not a thing to sell 

I used to build bridges 
by frequency 

Now wavelength is how 
you are kept in me 

You still ripple in waves 
breaking out to far shores 
from everything you 

that I can't help adore
but I understand, too 

about growing apart 
it means no way to say 
you still stick like a dart 
and you still spread roots
in my heart of hearts. 

You're still putting up 
shoots in fits and starts 
every time the sun shines 

I'm still feeling you bud
Even now cast between us:
such thick, rich mud 

So I love when it rains 
because of how you look, wet
I still stake all our pains 

It's for joys
I bet

omg political

You and I
so political 
oh my god 
but I love how
I reach like a lightning rod 
up invisibly far 

to call down your bolt 
you have smitten me, babe 

burnt well beyond hope

not far

I poured myself over 
a high, still cliff 
and rebounded back
through my eyes, ears 

skin 

standing anchored so high 
as protected as wind 

I called to you then 
and there was no sin. 

You called to me back 
but you were the sea:
a blackness of blue 
with ten million stars 

broken sunlight at noon 
as I stood, redwood shade 
deep in dust from the paths
that I trod not far

Can't never

Can't never could 
and did never died
but never never was
just lived and lied

the visitors

We've only been visitors
in our own lives.
Unable to know any

one we can't trust.
Unable to unsee betrayals
of ours: extending that
lesson as far as we must

Each other's a mother
who cannot contrive,
a father who cannot
conceive of our bond.
A sibling who can't
be a keeper combined.

We've always been children
of somebody's, once.
Been fighting to grow up
in each gaze we meet.
It's why we can't know,
grow,
trust,
love
or complete

Too busy with
business of rank,
sort

compete

keep the blood poured

adrenaline testosterone estrogen 
fight flight to home 
heart is just a drug pusher 
marrow pumps in core of bone
freezing, boiling, hazing red 
vision clouds or crystal clicks
target signs land everywhere
what heart wants is where
heart sticks

keep the blood poured
keep the blood poured
peered hit plowed gored
keep the blood poured

get it in must let it out 
sweat, tears, pores, palms, planted soles
fluids in and fluids gone 
got to mix it up one whole

got to mix it up with two 
territories, properties 
so much me that I need you
so much us that we can't be 

keep the blood poured
keep the blood poured
red, green, flash, bore
keep the blood poured

every generation's rise 
hanging on by tooth and nail 
wanting things done just some way 
fixed by generation's fail

how to bring a life like this 
innocent so many ways 
into trials, hips and fists 
lips bare teeth in green eyed gaze

what can keep us breathing yet
keep our limbs moving around 
purposeful as purpose gets 
meaningful as meaning found 

in the blood, such need and want
like, love, trust and consequence
game theories prey, peck and hunt
blood for oil, sport, defense 

keep the blood poured
keep the blood poured
white, black, red, sore
keep the blood poured

keep the blood poured