Until

2011-04-04T15:20:00.001-04:00

Omit the scrubbed down reflection,
static battleground image approached from
over a woman’s own chimera event position,
as sirens get lowered into a crawlspace

with fifty plus good options for resurrection in
an attaché environment. Vented air turns off
after some coffee, hearing the phone vibrate
muffled toward new princes, footed piously

within a diaristic range of assailant nothing
might persist longer than. Ice-faced forgetfulness,
stripped opinions flooring some varnished
means of courage from off the set, tight leggings,

cardinal sweater, it helps to pose in the
foyer or move around conversing. From confidante
to invisible auditor, chased down, held up,
the work is simple, a sense of coming from

untrue nativity to thoroughness without
your stone commander, by halves talkative
and remote, like a misinformed nobility,
a replacement sailor farewell.

The Lantern

2010-08-11T12:07:00.003-04:00

Some of the operatives are under speed
getting reassigned overnight
while lying on the banks, having fits
if the silhouette is at all possible. It’s
as good as motion sickness
like a cosmetic, that could come off at any moment
until the exchequer is at an end.
Of course they had taken their time, they breakfasted
but would inevitably be chasing you around
the trick is not to imagine
it’s very clear, whatever the world gives costs you double
going between appointments
in the deserted regions of the city
it is strange being left alone with a half-conscious mistress
my maids are all under suspicion, I am a receiver
of stolen articles. It gets close to 9:30, nearly time for work
I leave my apartment

the strategy is a clear, fresh one
whether coming back to life next week
or in the blindness of night
I forgot how pleasing it is being the one you summon
in desert situations
an easy thing to be, you’ll watch the camera feed
walking off in two or three directions. When I stop
following the good ones I won’t think
of them that way, even under multiple foreign legion conditions
when there is hope yet you’ll despair
when all is lost I’ll take heart
planning on the interim in some other colony
there’s too much lipstick in the tourist
traps. They added air conditioning and updated
curtains (to hide behind)
I stay awake late
from habit, staring at lines in my
mind and carving out the diagram
from mother of pearl. I pick out a few
new habits such as meeting interesting individuals,
going out, staying in, commit them
to memory along with what books I’m supposed to buy
nothing that seems all that unusual, ready for the inheritance but
very often probably not. There’s a trace of en route
oblivion past the border patrol
negotiating a few exits, don’t

be afraid to turn your back
resetting your means entirely at the first
premonition, after it’s by the wayside enough
to find it moving, embarrassing, almost trite. A model slouch
at the bar sipping Canada Dry club soda
the plastic you gives nothing away
when the time comes to receive rumors, make the
right assumptions. Innumerable insignia
have been hung in consent
for the dedication, and believe it when you
offer yourself just a few times, as
over a municipal holiday.

New Winter Palace

Until

The Lantern