The hum of cicadas is gone
replaced by rustling leaves
an overcooked sun slices
a chilled-wine breeze
cutting through and pressing
against me like a lusty body
celestial and far away, still
grazing skin with intimate familiarity
May the imputed I rely
upon this mere meat sack
only long enough to satisfy
the necessary attainments
then may I move on effortlessly
to the next nest, to abandon all
to abandon none
There is a face that I once knew
we share a nose
and a freckle or two
she’s stuck in selfies on my phone
and ever present when I’m alone
She dances in the picture frames
at both my parents’,
the eyes the same
and even when I’ve grown stout
the similarity will be pointed out
The imputed I, it claims all things
that photo there is me, it sings
that car is mine and so are these kids
and this skin and face
and pale eyelids
Everything is mine, or related to me
while wise men retort: mistakenly!
mistaken appearance all my own
true as ash to fire and dust to stone
The space in here
it is not clear
though she says
it’s clarity
My mind is fog
for this is wrong
though she says
it’s sanity
I hear a siren’s call
– or a fire alarm?
as she sings
it’s raining men
If she’s a storm
I wish to be her wind
though she says
such wish is sin
If I fall in
I know I’m fucked
though she jokes
you’re just a crook
It’s just a test
as she laughs at me
now she says
suffering need not be
If happiness is mind
I generate it from within
now she sings
the world is yours to win
Oh! Elusive happy mind!
on what do you depend?
now she jokes
it’s in your head!
The space in here
it is not clear
though she says
it’s clarity
My mind is fog
for this is wrong
now she begs
oh just kiss me!
The Halfwit Writer