SO WHAT IF I AM POOR
IN THIS DARK AND BRIGHT BIPOLAR WORLD
WHO IS THE AUTHOR OF MY FATE
ARE MY TRAGEDIES THE TRIUMPHS AND VICTORIES OF THEIR INSTRUMENTS
BECAUSE OF EXQUISITE METALS GLISTENING
WIELDED SHORT OF CAUTION
IT IS APPARENT
IN ALL PROCEEDINGS
I HAVE BEEN PLOUGHED INTO
THE DOINGS
OF MY MIGHTY INJURIES
THESE THAT ARE AS GREAT
AS THEY CAN BE
THE NIB THAT BLEEDS BETWEEN ATROCIOUS
FINGERS
THEIRS
IN THEIR GRASP
I, WHO HAVE DIED SEVEN TIMES SINCE YESTERDAY
WHOSE ULTIMATE DEATH IS DAWNING
OUGHT NOT TO BE
WHO THEY EXPECT OF ME
AND IF BY INCIDENCE
THAT SHOULD BE WHO THEY DESPISE THEN SO BE IT
HOWEVER DREADFUL
ONE CONDOLENCE SHOULD SUFFICE
AGAINST THE FOREST
I, THE LIFELESS STAG, ON HORSEBACK RIDING
AIMLESSLY
I AM CEASELESS
AN OUTPOURING
IF I MUST
BLEED THE NILE
I MIGHT AS WELL
IN WHICH INSIGNIFICANCE DARES NOT DWELL
NOR CAST
ITS SHADOW
UPON THE ENDLESS STRETCH
A PROCESS PENDING CENTURIES
WHEREIN THEIR LIMBS MAY SOAK NOW
AND BE FREE, FINALLY, OF THEIR SINS’ SATIRE
HAVING PENNED UNCALLED-FOR COMEDY
WHEREBY I MYSELF THE PROTAGONIST HAVE ASSUMED THE ROLE OF SCAPEGOAT
AT CASTINGS SUBSEQUENTLY
IF BY UPRISING EVEN
SAY TO THEM:
IF I AM HE
IF IT ISN’T HE WHO ABANDONS HIS DREAMS
IT IS NOT HIM
THAT IS NOT ME
