Who Are You  

Who are you — no don’t tell me — I don’t want to know.  
Just keep looking at me the way you do  
Like a hungry leopard ready for its next kill.  
Don’t stop looking at me — at least — not yet.  

Just chew me up slowly starting at my mouth  
And working whichever way you will.  
Don’t ask for permission or for forgiveness  
And don’t stop until you’ve got all you can get.  

Don’t miss the anticipated thrill —  
Just keep chewing until everything gets still.  

Go until you’re done with me and this world is no more a part of who we are.  Your eyes drooping and your limbs gone numb with delight,  Sleep it off baby — your belly swollen with what I was —  Sleep until the day becomes the
night.  

Chew me eat me swallow me all.  
Then I’ll be gone but you’ll still be here  
As will the memory we made and left behind  
For others to dream of and to strive to make again.  
  
But why then do we need to make a memory  
Lost in the grains as they fall away?  
Can’t we be a moment in all the time there is —  
Then forgotten along with all the other moments  
That are here for just today?  


You Wore Red Fragile Clothing  

You wore red fragile clothing  
You moved without stepping  
Floating over a floor of seawater and pearls  
Those of us privileged to observe 
Could not imagine a sight in this world 
 More graceful that night than you were  

Your beauty it thrills me 
To think that a person 
The same kind that I am  
Could be as special as you 

Not just your body  
But all that you can do 
A mind so thoughtful 
As quick as the light is  
As deep as the night can be 
 
Echos keep sounding  
Not fading but gaining  
Like the train that is coming  
To run over my now  
And decide what’s remaining  
Not sure what is happening  
But I know we will be  
What we should be somehow 
 
You never stop doing  
You the artist the model  
Who we would all follow  
If we only knew how  

You the actress the mother  
Devotee of Apollo  
The god of music and dance,  
Poems and the truth from the bow  

You shape the world with your kisses  
And spin it with your wishes  
None of us can approach your bright shining star  
But we are caught in your reflection  
In a mirror of introspection  
Which guides us to be the best that we are  

Ecstasy must include loving you  
I feel it coming in the distance now  
And I am trying to learn just how 
Heaven’s not here but you are  
And that will be enough for today  


Each and All  

Fire your weapon --  
Pull the flexile arc  
Toward your curious heart  
Until the exploding point.  
If your aim is not achieved, then fire again  Until your way is clear.  
Kill comfort.  
Destroy satisfaction.  
The sun may rise and set with no pain  But life's design requires a price.  

Insert yourself into the world --  
Your act as each,  
Affects the all.  
Push through life's leaden doors;  
Leave them swinging  
Awhile even when you're done.  
Like a shooting star  
You won't last but you will shed  
A brilliant light as you fall.  
This is your purpose.  
You are good alone
.  
Yes, struggle down the flesh clogged streets --  
A billion swarming selves, though all  
Apparently indifferent in the main,  
Eyes down, feet shuffling onward  
Ignoring those who step aside.  
Shout loud and long to arouse  
Routine's numb-bodied march.  
Defend yourself against the cynical mob  
That frowns, that sneers, that whispers threats, 
Contrary to each who flouts conformity's rule,  Who defies the passive lies?  

And as the myriad all admit your view  
You will win them with your electric voice  
Or else they'll chew up you and yours  
As they do most who refute their thoughtless ways  
And spit you into a silent grave.  
Your sacrifice is not the first  
Nor may it alter the pervasive manic thrust,  
But still it is required  
To recognize that each exists today  
And that the ever-growing crowd must  Accept you as time's gift brought now  To slow the uniformity of all.  

Insert yourself into the world --  
Your act as each,  
Affects them all.  
Push through life's leaden doors;  
Leave them swinging  
A while even when you're done.  
Like a shooting star  
You won't last but you will shed  
A brilliant light as you fall.  
This is your purpose,  
You are good enough alone.