I think good things come from the south unimpeded by my demands about what is necessary or what will serve. The river delta is in the south. I feel its urge, impossibly ascending from subterranean origins. I place obstacles in the way but the river is a strong god. You will never coerce the river. In its brown water, something brushes against us, a branch, or was it living? It is gone. The river takes everything.
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you just know it no one can tell you otherwise. I know I hit my little sister in the face with a rock and knocked her out when she was six. I was there threw the rock across the backyard watched her crumple like a ragdoll thrilled at the definition of a parabola nearly visible in midair against the backdrop of birch forest. I can't prove it. But I know it happened. Memory at best is an echo which repeated long enough becomes knowledge. Is my witness alone sufficient? You say you know Jesus. Just . . . you know. You can't prove that any more than I can prove I knocked my little sister the fuck out with a rock. I declare it on my authority. I am the proof of my witness. down the stairs hoping to get your attention and you give me only broken ankles What are you saying says the man I have over fifty seven broken ankles my toes are not much better off and my femur reeks of gangrene Are you saying I push you down the stairs because I do not love you the way I love a hot cabbage says the man I am saying that I am killing myself for your love and all you do is sniff your fingers The stairs are draped in clothing says the man Did I mention my knees are shattered because you do not love me and I smashed my face at the bottom Please please I am trying to think says the man Oh now it is your problem says the wife I am tying this tourniquet and leaving you Must you make so much noise when you walk screams the man your insides rattle like a bag of broken glass When I am gone your mouth will open and no one will boil your oats Must you must you must you go on says the man can't you see I'm eating |
Poems from Other Days
September 2021
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