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#628
Poem Without a Flower"The Japanese don't come –they go,"she said after. "You've just gonewhere no man has gone before."14 December 1988 Why’s it deflowering when there’re no flowers involved? And does...
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#629
State of DecayAfter his death we found his bookof unfinished poems left like rotting beached whales. There was very little picking leftapart from the eyesand we couldn’t bear to look at them. 14...
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#630
ChangelingIt is true that everyseven years we change. Turning fourteen I startedthinking poetry. I am now twenty-nine andsafe for six more years. 15 December 1988 My dad told me that every seven years...
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#631
They're DeadThey should scare mebut thenthey have becomesuch familiar ghosts. 15 December 1988 An inconsequential little poem don’t you think. And it is on one level. I, however, have the advantage...
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#632
The Beheld(for B.) She took several stonesfrom the mosaicand gave them to me. "But now they are meaningless,"I said. "No," she smiled, "their meaning has changed. "Why do you look throughand not...
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#633
Drowning WomenWhy did you bring him with you? He is not welcome. My feelings were clear. Stop struggling: you're clouding the water. Please stop. Stop. Please stop. Do you know what you've done? 23...
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#634
CindersWhen I visited Williamhe had a tray of buttons. "I like these," he said. "They open things –and you don't need keys."And he countedthe buttons on my dressand asked me to tell him a secret. 23...
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Satantango
He is what we call a ‘manipulator,’ Miss Flinn, a man who will use everyone and everything to his own ends. – Nurse Ratched referring to McMurphy in Ken Kesey’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest To my...
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#635
Coming Out"So you are apracticing poet?"she asked, and I felt uncleanand wanted my closet back. 23 March 1989 When did you know you were… you know… that way inclined? I wonder how many gays have...
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#636
Greenock(for B.) So I am a port in a storm? Who will come into me, into my arms? They're tearing me downbut my arms are still there. Who will come into them? I held you in Greenock stationuntil you...
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#637
Marital Row No. 693The Batman would neverstand for this. The Batman would neverhave been caught like this. Not The Batman. We have a lot in common –The Batman and I. We both wear masksbut I don't have...
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#638
Triangles(for B.) It's always harderwhen it's somebody else's crossyou're carrying. I told you you were beautifuland I did not liebut I questioned my motives. I need to show I love youbecause I fear he...
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#639
SonsIThe poem came back today. "Why won't you write me?"it asked. "What use am I in your head? "They won't start to like youeven if you hide me, besides, I'll glare out of your eyesat them. "And...
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#640
Painting with Dots(for B.) I'm sorry –I hadn't learned to lookwhen I first met you. I thought all great artwas Rembrandt or Picasso. You are lovely –but all I saw before wasthe outline of a woman. I...
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#641
The MagicianI showed her my soft sideand she took it in her armsand turned it to stoneand broke it over my head. 19 April 1989 This has a lot in common with ‘Quality Goods’ (#625). I’ve always...
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The Room
It was a fairly small room. A desk in the middle. A computer, files on a shelf. Pens and other office equipment. Nothing remarkable. But all of it in perfect order. Neat and tidy. Against one wall...
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#642
The "Thank You" Girl(for M.) Yes, I love youbut I will not touch you: that would make it more realthan we can cope with. Yes, I love you, I just don't say it too oftenin case the words lose their...
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#643
BreakingDon't say that you love me. From you it's just a made-up phrase, words waiting to be definedand not ready for use: you've not earned the right to use them. You tried to force the key andit's...
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#644
Titanic DaysWho can raise great men when they fallor dare stand to catch them as they do? 25 June 1989 RMS Titanic was a British passenger liner that sank in the North Atlantic Ocean in the early...
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#645
The Drowned ManHe is undead. He comes from withinand his name is Hunger. I bring him womento help feed himbecause their feelings are the strongest. They give him guiltand fearand pain –now there's a...
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