Figures in Disquieting Landscapes
Virtual Strip Mine
We have an illusion
of conversation here-
just enough to get us posting
wracked and wretched assertions
that can be mined
for tenuous filaments
flung across the wounds
the century becomes.
Blue to Black
During daylight, blue and cloud
and the searing disc of sun
seem intimate and the world
appears a touchable realm.
After dark, the pinprick stars
and pale, oculus moon
reaffirm the black, unreachable
mysteries of an infinite sky.
Squid
Tentacles hold fast to the small
thrashing thing they believe is true
which, devoured, once crushed
completely still, turns into shit,
the useless, toxic waste
of another attempt to understand.
Claim
I found my voice among discarded
bottle caps and beer cans.
No one else much wanted it.
A Little Matter, Reclaimed
Unless you die in space,
beyond your planet's ancient tug,
you will be earth again-
whether burned to ash and jarred
or lost in the far country, unseen,
or drained, pumped up again,
and painted, for the neatly drafted
village of the dead.
We have an illusion
of conversation here-
just enough to get us posting
wracked and wretched assertions
that can be mined
for tenuous filaments
flung across the wounds
the century becomes.
Blue to Black
During daylight, blue and cloud
and the searing disc of sun
seem intimate and the world
appears a touchable realm.
After dark, the pinprick stars
and pale, oculus moon
reaffirm the black, unreachable
mysteries of an infinite sky.
Squid
Tentacles hold fast to the small
thrashing thing they believe is true
which, devoured, once crushed
completely still, turns into shit,
the useless, toxic waste
of another attempt to understand.
Claim
I found my voice among discarded
bottle caps and beer cans.
No one else much wanted it.
A Little Matter, Reclaimed
Unless you die in space,
beyond your planet's ancient tug,
you will be earth again-
whether burned to ash and jarred
or lost in the far country, unseen,
or drained, pumped up again,
and painted, for the neatly drafted
village of the dead.
These are great, but I'm especially fond of the last one, always attracted to the dark. "*"
Good pieces. I especially relate to "Claim." *
Thank you, Kyle.
Thank you, Beate.
I like how these piggy-back off one another, building, demolishing, and rebuilding with the ruins of conflict and struggles under that "oculus moon," and leading to that uber creepy "village of the dead." *
Very cool arrangement, Gary. They work together so well. Jarring, often, but in a good way. Strong work.
I think they do all work together, but the second and the last work best for me.*
I especially like the last one. ***
The ending to "A Little Matter" especially got me.*
A perfect antidote for sentimentalism. I, too, feel closest to "Claim". *
Lost and found - all illusion. Good set, Gary. I like.
Thank you, Emily.
Thank you, Kathy.
Thank you, Gary.
Thank you, Tara.
Thank you, Amanda.
Thank you, Matt.
Thank you, Sam.
Great set, Gary. I'm partial to Blue to Black, but these are all super tight *
Thank you, Foster.