The great machines kept running when
their builders and original operators were gone
In time their safety features failed and the machines
injured people every day. Soon it was no surprise
when the machines killed someone. Those who
claimed to own the machines said it was worth it
They hired soldiers to protect the machines
and keep workers in their places
"Where would we be without the great machines?"
No one who said that aloud wanted an answer
The great machines began to take in more
material and energy than they gave back
Those who said, “How long can this go on?” were asked,
"Where would we be without the great machin
I met a lady outside the town,
pale her face and dark her gown.
A great black bird passed overhead.
"What gift have you for me?" she said.
I gave her honey, I gave her mud,
a song of springtime in my blood.
Though she was fair and bade me stay,
I knew her name and went my way.
i.
i used to think that
lone geese in october skies
were mistakes;
an error of wingbeats,
miscalculations of the wind
raw cries and heavy feathers
swept upwards, on beyond
Autumn the matchmaker’s
deft fingers.
ii.
but here we are,
people.
linked with golden chains
and paper wishes,
popcorn and licorice,
forgetfulness and condoms
marching two by two.
iii.
sugar/semen stains
on tawdry velvet--
i see no need
for so many
When I was nineteen
I got a tattoo of a bird
with outstretched wings,
hoping the ink would sprout broad feathers.
All it does is whisper into
my ear, feathers dusting my
back, chanting “fly, fly”
Look at Lake Elizabeth, the color of milk,
and clouds of boats with sails of blue silk.
"Keep the sunrise on your left" is what the captain said.
If she was right the city should be soon ahead.
June or July would have been better for this.
But we don't want to wait, so March it is.
Impossible is only a word.
Just the same, some things are absurd.
Hope for tomorrow, breath for today.
Grant me these, O world, I pray.
Gray all day and black all night.
I'm beginning to feel the absence of light.
Fire trucks are coming from all around,
to burn the old places down to the ground.
Emergency procedures are well known:
Take off your shoes and s
We have a new cat now.
She streaks through the house
and sleeps in your old beds,
watching me from the rocking chair
as I habitually seek you out.
She's sweeter than you--
she sits in my lap
and plays with my fingers,
doll-faced and docile
against your angular independence.
I still search for you
amongst the cracks in my heart
as you slip like sand
deeper into the dark recesses
of my faulty memories.
I am always afraid
that my tears will ruin the circuitry
through which I access
our sunny afternoons and quiet nights,
and you will slip beyond me.
I did not hope for an afterlife
until I ran my fingers through your cold fur,
and understood
:thumb154224263::thumb154224263::thumb154224263:
Avenging angel has more work than can be done -
sits at the bar buying drinks for everyone.
Barefoot angel broke a toe
on the stone of human woe.
Card-carrying angel shows ID -
as if an angel cared about security.
Desolate angel waits for what may never be -
will not listen but has to see and see and see.
Edifying angel writes on the wall -
and writes again after we erase it all.
Feral angel has claws that split oak,
fells a tall tree with a single stroke.
Glaring angel can hurt you with a look -
hurt you even from his picture in a book.
Hardnose angel will listen t
The Diary of His Supreme and Condescending Majesty, King Stalwart Prettipaws, the One and Only
14th April
The housemaid has just given birth to a second child. It really is too much. So much noise. So much commotion. The footman appears to have forgotten I exist. I had to give the order twice this morning before I was fed.
However. I am the King - I must be gracious about the situation. They may be just servants but it is their home too. It would be cruel of me to expect them to leave at this stressful time. Perhaps I will go and stay in another palace for a while. My kingdom is certainly large enough for me to be able to find something to
we've clicked the help button
on the tool bar.
we're the first to admit we're confused.
this morning the council met with a proposal
to replace god.
there have been complaints.
"dear eternity, i'm disillusioned
your god is a single snapshot of deep space
and a soundtrack of silence.
i tried pressing reset.
my old model featured google images,
a personal blog, and a comment section.
yesterday's god had to be recharged.
it was a rough way to be hardwired,
but there was a five-year money-back guarantee
and excuse me, but i'm dissatisfied.
i'm not so sure about redemption,
and i saw it on the news yesterday:
they recalled the golden rule.
it