“By the Stream of the Death,” “Daughter Draws,” “Silence Coughs,” and Other Poems
By the Stream of the Death We make love. Our bottoms taste the gravels. The overbridge runs near us, naked. Honking fills the wind. All the dead…
“What Time,” “Sol Invictus,” “Buffet,” and Other Poems
What Time These are the times when April as the cruelest month has been forgotten like that bad memory from years ago pushed aside to worship the…
Lady Poet Forgets the Meaning of Idioms
“That’s the last straw! We’re gonna need liquorice to slurp up the rest of that poet-tea (which should obviously be drunk with a straw),” says the…
“Afferent Meiosis,” “The Dream Disturbed,” “Avalokiteshvara Avaleur,” and “Country Driving”
Afferent Meiosis You take permission of yourself more than give it Upward from extremities to head, virtual Puncta scoring a line between yourself…
“The Poetry Mistress and the Flesh and Blood Wife,” “Marrying a Man with Children,” “Esmeralda,” and Other Poems
The Poetry Mistress and the Flesh and Blood Wife Even when I dream, she wants my body. Such a slut, she doesn't care that my wife is sleeping soundly…
“For the New Cab Driver After His First Shift,” “The Street Without a Name,” “237 North Oracle,” and “Rush Hour Fatality”
For the New Cab Driver After His First Shift Don’t get too excited when you make a little dough in the morning or whenever your shift starts because…
“Okra Casserole Baked at 350,” “Satchmo Was White,” “Sitting Pretty,” and Other Poems
Okra Casserole Baked at 350 The bald soprano was hiding in the bushes. You better say something or I will. God is watching is not good enough. Tell…
Angels in Nomen Town: Two Neutral Angels Watch Old Plays
The Nomen-Town or N-Town Plays are a cycle of mystery plays from the late Middle English period. Formerly known as the Coventry Cycle, “Nomen” means…
“Heebie Jeebies,” “Spin the Bottle,” and “The Date Fairy”
Heebie Jeebies Twelve years old, enthralled by Jan August’s Misirlou, I listen to the 78 record on my phonograph. My heart soars with the strings. I…
“The Mood of D Major,” “About Hrabal,” “Saraband is Actually a Sorrowful Name,” and Other Poems
translated by Xi Nan The Mood of D Major Undraw the curtains Things suddenly become open and bright Open and bright is just this Simple…
