-to Des with no one else in mind
I.
I aint never had no boss before Boss.
I aint never needed nobody.
I helps myself and
I helps out where/when I can, but
I aint done no leanin' before Boss.
II.
So here
through the tunnels
I have arrived
in a basket
the do-it-yourself-person kit.
III.
I need your hands, Mr. Artist
in sculpting this assemblage
help wanted
apply within
will lean your way.
IV.
"Uh, excuse me can I do something for you?"
I'm the wayward wizard of healing
come to kiss
and make better
Show me the patient and I'll. . .
I'll. . .
I'll. . . Oh Shit!
Where the fuck did I put my wand?
V.
Say hey, Boss?
your keychain dangles tears.
\(emI noticed\(em
show me how to switch it off.
I can't bear to taste you bare & bitter.
VI.
If she dug her nails deeper
into your spine
would you bleed?
Or is there no blood left to give
me?
VII.
Untie my hands, Des;
the rope is burning tight; let me, let me
help you.
I am not a receptacle
or a spectator.
Let me, let me give; let me bind them up up up
until it goes
away.
VIII.
Sometimes at station's crossing
I look right down deep
inside you
to wonder
who
on subway seat
is this guy next to me.
IX.
Railroaded
on that Hudson-Jersey line
RR exchange
changing tracks
switches connect
no turning back.
X.
Have mercy!
Have mercy!
Have mercy on the electrocuted
part of our lives
which burn out before
we can recharge.
XI.
The words you let slip
away from opportunity
until the gap built
a room for silence.
XII.
Your words sweet
sweet poet
ring emotion
all self-indulged raving.
Let a man fulfill
this appetite and
stop your
fevered craving.
XIII.
Gentlemen: (gentle man)
In questions
and second glanced pages
I am undone and undressed.
What else
have I to give?
XIV.
The lines on her hand are called tension
while her face lies calm.
If some careless knight should apply
the job is open to perfection only\(em
all others please pay cash.
XV.
Perhaps you saw it
her signature
so fine
on the crumbling parchment
which degenerated to dust
so fine
at least she was not
cold enough to rust.
XVI.
train lady
trained lady
lady once loved
lady one loves
lady one glove
lady nicotine
are you a man too?