iridesent sleep cycles

spell check says i spell things wrong
but sometimes it just doesn't know
 the word i mean.

three days ago you couldn't ask me
for a place to lay her head but i offered anyway.

i won't show fear. there are knives in the house
but no guns. it makes me feel
somewhat safer and anyway,
 she's more a barker than a biter
though cornered animals are always dangerous. .
i keep that in mind. as well as
how good deeds are punished.

i wasn't trained for this, even after
the girls and boys who came for refuge
camped in my house for a time,
moved on. the nancy incident repeats itself
on my floor, under the twinkling tree
where you are free to sleep, if you can.
have a valerian. make some candy.
a toddy. pretend you too are taking place
in a tradition you've only felt really mattered
on tv.












i'm sorry your life was so shattered.
the way time moves through your body
inked in diastole and sistole, mispronounced
in an erotic interlude with the boy next door.
tattoos are double entendres, needling you
to move faster, feel quicker, think nano.

the mirror tells all tales.

















)(


irrelevancy meanders up to my front porch
reminds me it's time we were intimate.
i take a long pull on my beverage,
type another line.
wish i hadn't read
that poem by louise gluck.


















*(&&















i was called a mental masturbator the other nite at open mic.
i'm like seriously? am i just jerking off?
it's always so nice to hear from the audience.
this guy was the host. huh, at least he lets me go on .
and on.
and
on

























comet on cupid on donner and blitzed again
another christmas rolls around. my house is full
the carpets are toxic the tree stands in the corner
looking small but cheery, like my lilibelle
except ever since you've come she likes to cross her arms
and pout. get the monster in her eyes. she seems angry
and bit out of sorts. there is a menace to engaging
with such a big child as you. she doesn't want to do what you say
but you seem like you're a grownup.
someone should tell it to your dad.
and psychiatrist. oy vey the state of mental health care
in this country could drive ya crazy.





roll eyes.


















&*


i ummm
i think you're an artist
the question is
do you have a good heart
if nirubu's ghost catches you
i'm not sure what yu'll do.