A few new poems. If you are coming to Court Street Gallery on Friday and don't want to ruin any surprises, stop reading now.

Constellations

In any cluster of stars I see the Big Dipper,
though I've been taught the distinctions.

They, with some authority,
name the constellations.
Trace them in the sky,
connect the dots with their pinkies.
Explain the science of shooting stars.

I don't listen. I look for airplanes.
Flashing lights, visible motion
tangible but, in this moment, celestial
From where I'm sitting they look
like they will crash right into
one of the dippers
(or Capricorn or Virgo?)

And that is where I make my wishes.


Burt's Bees Lip Balm

I use Burt's Bees lip balm because
I once liked the way it tasted
on someone's lips.
He used it because
he was allergic to other brands and
I don't know much about allergies but
we could probably trace them to his
childhood environment or something his mother
ate while she was pregnant

I use Burt's Bess lip balm because
it's habit now.
I barely think of him but
if you like the smell of my smile or
the faint tingle when our lips touch
you may find yourself buying it after I'm gone.
After awhile, you'll for get why and
when someone asks why you use it, you'll say
"I just like it, makes my lips soft"
and she may buy in on that endorsement alone
continuing the chain without realizing
how it began.


Mannequin Factory

Rubber and plastic
continuity, repetition
one mold for each:

set of feet
and legs
ass
belly
(no, not belly, torso)
breasts
shoulders
arms, hands

immaculate conception
immaculately stored
in bags, on shelves

And on their own wall,
the faces.
A row for each
essence
transformed into perfection,
mathematical beauty:
eyes slanted to the same degree,
cheeks perched at the same height,
bumpless noses,
evenly toned skin,
(save for pink post-sex cheek flush)
the lips
plump and neatly aligned
lacquered, slightly parted
and not a single pair
smiling.


Untitled (an iTunes FOUND poem)

I am a revenant. I am a rock. I am the one.

I am trying to break your heart. I apologize. I been gone a long time. I bought you. I can't help it.

I can't stay mad at you. I can't wait.

I can hear the whisperings. I can learn. I can only give you everything.

I could have lied. I could say I don't care. I don't care. I don't know why. I don't wanna be friends. I don't wanna hear it. I don't want to die in a hospital bed. I don't want to talk about it.

I dreamed I saw St. Augustine.

I fall, I feel alright, I feel it all.

I fought the law. I got knocked down, but I'll get up. I got mine, I got no, I gotta go.

I hate everything. I hate myself. I hate myself for losing you. I have a major weight-lifting problem. I just don't know. I just make faces I knew Prufrock before he got famous. I left my wallet in El Segundo. I like giants. I like your hair.

I lost it.

I love you more than you like me. I miss that band. I must not think bad thoughts.
I need somebody.
I never, I never loved a man the way I love you. I never promised you a rose garden. I only want to be with you. I promise this won't hurt.

I say a little prayer. I shall be released. I should have known better. I stand corrected. I still have to go pee. I still love you, Julie. I think I'm in love. I think I smell a rat.

I thought I could find you, I thought I saw your face today. I understand, I used to love her I used to love him.

I wanna be sedated. I wanna be your lover. I wanna see you bleed. I want something more. I want to be alone. I want to conquer the world.

I want to save you. I want you. I want you to want me. I was born on a pirate ship. I was made for you.

I was on a mountain. I was only joking I was there I will I will bury you I will not apologize I will play my game beneath the spin light I wish I took guitar lessons I wonder