[September Columbus]

(September 22-October 2, 2009)

I

Harpooned hovercraft of mangled
teenage heart hums
a tune, out of tune, crooked-
While the moan of a distant
motorcycle-god screams through
10 o’clock like insect wings.

II

Contemplated “godly-speech” confusion;
-shaken with one part Camel Lights,
one part black coffee,
two parts gravel- sends the delicate
machinery of the cyclist into a
cheese-grater skid, smearing face
and leather across pavement.

III

An awkwardness-
interrupted by starving moths
lost in a fog of
highway construction dust-
turns 315 into yellow
brick redemption.
My sailboat home on a river
of gasoline and the stale
over baked smell of city smog-
sweeps me up in the devastating
simplicity of loving one.
stupidly.

IV

Should haves try to resurrect
the dying, interrrupted by
parking meter checkers.
Time to pay up. Time is lost.

V

Dig deep to pick off
badges of significance.
“I am a queen!” vagrant woman shouts.
The bus leaves without
her- the coach leaves Cinderella
behind.

VI

Garage dreams return when
least expected-
Chain cranks to open panels
the inside lock is stuck again-
Spiders curling into
chemical heaps of extremities;
My stem breath on windows,
Door swings open.
Crowbar brain frothing
at the mouth with prose.
Skinny bow legs leave
the garage, leave tomorrow
hanging on the door.