Napomo 17: April 7-12
April Libations
The drinking will continue
until morale improves
or the liver fails and death
disposes of morale.
04.07.17
April Dig
In order to understand the world
we have to cut into it with pick-axes
and scalpels. This disturbs the ground
and vivisects small creatures.
The pain in the shoulder and the pain
in the lab rat are necessary evils, we say.
The innocent atom, smashed to sub particles,
is a small burnt offering within the
artificial magnetic field. We sketch
or photograph what we see as da Vinci
did cadavers. The business of knowing
can be macabre and highly focused
as we spade the ancient burial grounds
across the thin crust of spiraling earth.
04.08.17
April Balm
Between the thunderstorms,
blue and green mid-April Dallas
blossoms and breezes. Scented
swirls invigorate the nostrils
as the sun warms the once again
uncloaked arms, legs, and shoulders.
Never mind the sneezes ignited
by squadrons of histamines-
in such weather, even resurrection
seems an imminent possibility.
04.09.17
What Can't Be Seen
Straight lines don't exist
except in the diagrams you see
in fragmented pictures idiots
like Paul Ryan flash across
the lying screens such men flash.
Everything curves, bent
by gravity and the accelerations
of forces and presences
we can't see.
Everything is bent.
04.10.17
April Encounter
A cottontail sneaks past at 6:05.
She doesn't notice me, but is wary,
nonetheless. Wary is an attribute
of all survivors and she is a plump
survivor, hip-hopping on a quest
for food and whatnot. She
is beautiful in the way of survivors.
She did pause as I watched her
but didn't veer, as cottontails
are prone to, as if she knew
I could be trusted.
04.11.17
April Communications
You've got mail! was once enough
to bring a smile. It's now never heard
because email devolved to
toxic sludge of fundraisers
and bullshit ads. Text me, we say now,
since Phone calls were stolen by telemarket
and political robocalls a decade ago.
When texts are corrupted by
erectile dysfunction messages
and echo chamber political requests
for money, phone time, and petition
signatures, what's left? Give to something
you believe in and the guilt-edged messaging
will swallow texts. Marketing supplants
communication. Persuasion erodes
the oversold promise of being digital.
04.12.17
The drinking will continue
until morale improves
or the liver fails and death
disposes of morale.
04.07.17
April Dig
In order to understand the world
we have to cut into it with pick-axes
and scalpels. This disturbs the ground
and vivisects small creatures.
The pain in the shoulder and the pain
in the lab rat are necessary evils, we say.
The innocent atom, smashed to sub particles,
is a small burnt offering within the
artificial magnetic field. We sketch
or photograph what we see as da Vinci
did cadavers. The business of knowing
can be macabre and highly focused
as we spade the ancient burial grounds
across the thin crust of spiraling earth.
04.08.17
April Balm
Between the thunderstorms,
blue and green mid-April Dallas
blossoms and breezes. Scented
swirls invigorate the nostrils
as the sun warms the once again
uncloaked arms, legs, and shoulders.
Never mind the sneezes ignited
by squadrons of histamines-
in such weather, even resurrection
seems an imminent possibility.
04.09.17
What Can't Be Seen
Straight lines don't exist
except in the diagrams you see
in fragmented pictures idiots
like Paul Ryan flash across
the lying screens such men flash.
Everything curves, bent
by gravity and the accelerations
of forces and presences
we can't see.
Everything is bent.
04.10.17
April Encounter
A cottontail sneaks past at 6:05.
She doesn't notice me, but is wary,
nonetheless. Wary is an attribute
of all survivors and she is a plump
survivor, hip-hopping on a quest
for food and whatnot. She
is beautiful in the way of survivors.
She did pause as I watched her
but didn't veer, as cottontails
are prone to, as if she knew
I could be trusted.
04.11.17
April Communications
You've got mail! was once enough
to bring a smile. It's now never heard
because email devolved to
toxic sludge of fundraisers
and bullshit ads. Text me, we say now,
since Phone calls were stolen by telemarket
and political robocalls a decade ago.
When texts are corrupted by
erectile dysfunction messages
and echo chamber political requests
for money, phone time, and petition
signatures, what's left? Give to something
you believe in and the guilt-edged messaging
will swallow texts. Marketing supplants
communication. Persuasion erodes
the oversold promise of being digital.
04.12.17
I like these--this especially: "in such weather, even resurrection
seems an imminent possibility."
Thank you, Matt.
"and death/disposes of morale."
This line, like so many others, strikes me as being very humorous.
Thank you, Erika.
Ha! That last poem is a perfect one to end on. Great work **
Good stuff. I really admire poets who are able to write a poem a day.
Thank you , Arturo.
Thank you, Jill. One must relax standards, perhaps, to write a poem a day. There are several days left in the month. Failure looms large.
Agreed, Jill. I'm happy if I can push out a piece of writing once a week. Way to go, Gary!
Lots of slightly jaundiced intelligence here. Good work Gary.*
Love April balm. ***
Thank you, John.
Thank you, Rachna.
Eminently sound, eminently insightful. Yes!
*****
"The drinking will continue", "squadrons of histamines", "Persuasion erodes
the oversold promise of being digital."
Some of my favs. The tone of these reminds me of W.D. Snodgrass's "April Inventory." ***
Thank you, Ed.
Thank you, James.
Thank you, Daniel.
"In order to understand the world
we have to cut into it with pick-axes
And scalpels." Damn that is good.
April Libations, I'm up for that.
Thank you, Steve.
Thank you, Kitty.
Haha, gotta love that "April Libations" hook! And "The business of knowing/can be macabre and highly focused" that permeates the entire movement thru April--of course "the cruelest month"! Even with its balms. Very fine piece, Gary.
*
Thank you, Bill.
6 windows into other worlds - jaded & joyful... Brilliantissimo!