Framed

My frame
of mind
hangs in lopsided grin
on the arterial wall

each pulse
rattles the glass a bit
threatens to rough me
off the nail I drove
through the heart of it
.
.
.
.

Response to Monday Muse

Don't you dare

step aroung my heart

as if it were fragility

defined

as if it were quicksand

and your pleated pants

newly pressed

But dare jump

center deep

crimson your cuffs

and never wash

never

wash
.
.
.

Decked

I woke this morning

to my own gut

moaning like old teak

last nights booze

sloshing cross the bow

and no rudder

.
.
.
.

Full Winter

If only
there was brandy enough...

though in such a storm
as the heart's full winter
even hooch
cannot fire
.
.
.
.

No Reply

How can one reply
to being of such poor
and calloused heart?

I'll bear witness
to my own crimes
in the chambers of my apology
keep sentry
in lifelong penance

reminders
unnecessary
.
.

lOnely

.
.
What shall I eat
and drink?
(though more always the answer to drink)

In what measure to feed
the yawing mouth of lonely...

that HUGE fucking insatiable O in the middle of it?

.
.
.

Hazard Pay

It's cold
and dark

people die in such places
with their children's need
wedged between shakey knees
like an offering
to the "Saints be praised -
we made it!"
only tonight
the Saints were full up
with babies
.
.
.