lives untold

Unfolding before your very own eyes, friend
is despondent pondering
of a resplendent rendering
of marigold, manifold.

The spirit, that hollow reed,
whistles, haunting each breath...

Retina, cretina!
these gullible eyes
mistake reflected light
for reality.

Muzzled fullness
has a weight
beyond its tears.
Who knew what embankment
lay between you and enchantment?

This poison, dripping,
gripping you in deathly embrace,
tightening with each gulp
of the bottomless cup
of refills, she fills your bones
with leaden suddenness
of time.

Wraps a leaf of folly
around your forehead
and shoves you into bed.

What was it you said?

What was it you said?
that the sky is full of beetles?
that the horses ran dry?
that the poison flew the kites on a breezy day?
that your hands folded into a purse?
that the pool lay its gleaming eyes on you?
that the minister's iron works overtime?
that Lazarus went blind in one ear?
that Coachella is a bony protrusion?
that the miniseries sent an emissary?
that the gaol had a goal (girl?)
and the buoy a boy?
that magic was made of wet matchsticks?
that cream-pie was a muddy delight?
that the menagerie wore lingerie?
that whoever smoked gun was made fun of?
that life is a series of fanatical moves?
that our nature is that of candle-wax?
that we owed the party a favor?
that we weren't courageous enough?
that our dumbbells opened their eyes?
that production and revulsion were friends?
that knives connived to kill?
that wives wived too much?
that bonsai trees wore sleeves?
that cardamom sticks lay bricks?
that mallets are malleable and gullets gullible?
that people never change?
that people never change?