Mindless interjection

Mindless interjection of unlocking words, interpreted throughout the seamwork of a fine conversational linen soliloquy, folded carefully and placed in the closets of inattention, while a harmony of silent moths nibble at the frayed yellow edges unraveled with age.

No date, written on the back of a Gary Snyder poster from April 1979.

Gary Snyder poster reading at College of Marin

This is sort of where it all began. I saw Gary Snyder at College of Marin; and said, "I can do that." At least, it was at the College of Marin reading that I began to take myself seriously as a poet. Clearly I have work that predates this date. This date works out as April 17, 1979. The back notes set the day of the week as a Wednesday for April 11, which makes it 1979. I thought it was earlier than that. Maybe something else will turn up. I had torn the poster in half to use the back as writing paper...

Traces of the Goddess

Traces of the Goddess

she surveys the night because 

the answer is, of course,

traces of the goddess

a foot beneath the cover 

a light in the window

mostly in April 

new growth 

presses against 

the leafless tree

what brings you here 

bearing heavily down 

with such force? 

the pounding heart
sees the blood
here on the cut glass

these essences that spill 

she bites the flesh 

the body turns and heaves 

to a rhythm that lasts 'til dawn.

April 1979

added 2/2017