So now, having washed the demon away
I begin anew
The sidewalk was cracked
something about my mother’s back
and the elm tree covered
with a friendly, almost god-like
shade my anxious head.
I was in some kind of
heaven
my sister was pushing me
in a stroller
I was in love with the world,
in love with the trees.
I am sort of gushing now
almost overloaded with gratitude.
Shut your eyes, Mayan prince
and find the universe
in a single tear drop.
You know nothing at all,
you know.
I am a parking lot at Target
a gorged lion
or a digesting antelope
a sliver of light
in an otherwise
unoccupied room;
an oily residue
on a psychopath’s chin
or a blade of grass
covered in fertilizer.
A star 500 million times bigger than the sun
talked to me last night
but he was an Uber driver then,
and he was very wise
in the ways of the world.
Sun Ra came back from Saturn
and told me about love
with crazy hypnotic music
and I stopped being.
He looked up from his corn flakes
and said the universe is murdering itself
to keep on existing.
How was I supposed to respond to that?
So I poured milk on his head
and said a little prayer
to the universe.
The cow that had given that milk
had already been slaughtered.
He laughed and said
oh now I know what Burroughs meant by
Naked Lunch.
I know nothing at all
you know.
Gregory this is very interesting, I kinda wish I could sit with you over tea and talk about your work. This line made me wonder if you’re Hispanic? “Shut your eyes, Mayan prince” much enjoyed, my best to you.
Ha ha I am actually of Scandinavian descent…sometimes words just present themselves when I’m writing, sort of petitioning for attention.. the word “Maya” presented itself and I used Mayan prince in the interest of rhythm as well as symbolism. Something to do with our god-like nature, I think. please feel free to message me at any time to discuss our work, the labor of love called poetry. we’ll pour our honey into the shimmering pool…
Oh I see! it’s good to actually talk to the poet and know what he had in mind. Mayan, Scandinavian they’re all good, glad I asked, to get a deeper view into your poem.
Thanks for answering my question, I do feel free to ask you, as you’re one of the most genuine, supportive and polite persons in this site. Sure! “we’ll pour our honey into the simmering pool” Cheers!
cheers!
You shape words, as a mason shapes stone.
one can only hope the stones fit together! very cool and interesting metaphor…thanks for reading!