R. W.

I had the craziest dream about me last night.
I didn’t fly, or see through walls
I (still) couldn’t even dance.
The crazy thing was that
all of a sudden, with total clarity,
I really knew who I was.
I saw all my hopes, my fears
and my goals in full focus
for the first time.
All that uncertainty, gone.
The crippling torment of doubt
that kept me from moving in any direction
was lifted, and I suddenly realized
the best ways to travel in all directions.
And so i set off at once, the direction unimportant
because I knew just what lay ahead.
The euphoria that comes with complete confidence
in your actions is an unrivaled sensation.
On I walked, knowing – knowing – I was
on the right course.
So I walked closer to my destination, to the
reward I had refused to let myself see I had always wanted
And then–

Out of Season

Today I was driving
and I was looking at the yellowing leaves
and the oranging leaves
and the reddening leaves
and it made me think about autumn
which made me think about pumpkins
which made me think about pie
which made me think about Thanksgiving
which made me think about the parade
which made me think about Santa Claus.
And I got to thinking,
about that time in your life,
when every adult you know
would lie to you, right to your face
for years and years and years.
Just so that it seemed like there was a little magic in the world.

The Odyssey – 1st Reprieve.

They laid there together, without
saying a word, letting the sound
of the falling rain fill the silent room.
He wondered how something that sounds
so much like the tapping of a thousand
impatient fingers could be so soothing.
She wondered why he never wanted to
play in the rain anymore.

Indictment in Villanelle

Through all windows, I see only infinity.
You’re wrong, you know; raise yourself and the curtain
At least believe in a tangible divinity.

Isn’t it easy to see pessimistically?
Despite your best effort, I can say for certain
Through all windows, I see only infinity.

I don’t care about One, let alone a Trinity
I admit I do like trying to pervert an
Ideal such as intangible divinity.

These zealots will bury you neck deep in it, see,
Then they’ll tear you apart and leave you deserted.
Through all windows, you’ll see a lonely infinity.

So let’s escape; we can hide safely in a tree
Should it really be so wrong or absurd if
We placed ourselves on a mantel of divinity?

We’ll never worry about our ’sins’ in our tree
Rest now; I promise to never see you hurting
I believe in a tangible divinity
Because through all windows I see only you, infinitely.

4th Movement of the Odyssey

“I’d like to know,” he began,
turning the defrost up to an audible 3,
“just what is so endearing about melancholy
that compels me to desire it stick around for so long?”
Silence followed, save the white noise of the heater.
The snow in the headlights reminded him of stars,
flying past some interstellar spacecraft.
The road crunched and slipped under the buick
and only then would he wonder how old these tires are.
He turned to look at the passenger seat
as clarity slowly crept up the windshield.
He waited for her to say something cute,
something with her effortless profundity
that he made sure she thought he hated.
and if she were there, she might have.

Written Last March

Once the snow’s melted
I like to walk on the grass
as much as I can.
The way the ground feels
soft again, cushioning footsteps
like walking on layer cake
is such a hopelessly optimistic feeling.
The grass is still wet and weighed down
by phantom snow,

I almost wish
I was still pining for you.
Writing, at the very least,
would be easier.

2nd Movement of the Odyssey

So she pulled open the curtains, thrusting morning in his face
He closed his eyes harder, clearly at odds with the world
over what time it was.
“See? You’re wrong,” she said, contemplating this new day.
With a voice like gravel, he grumbled out his reply,
“Why? What do you see?”
There was silence as she considered this.
He could tell she was really thinking about her answer,
a weighing of options he thought too heady for this hour.
“Infinity,” she finally said. There was almost giddiness in her voice.
“Through all windows, I see only infinity.”
He merely grunted, and pulled the blankets over his face
But only so she wouldn’t see him smile.

The Answer

It’s a fool’s errand,
these silly love songs.
they’re only gonna leave you.
i want to tell you it’s all gonna break
that regrets, they weren’t there
But they stood, statues; invincible.
Angels stacked crooked, the ruins of my life.

in desolate times, don’t panic
Just keep the car running
Head for Munich
It was nice to know you.

But it’s Raining

Don’t let go of that kite
Stop the glycerin
Someday the waves will set it off
The end of this chapter, i mean.
Wake up
there’s a knock-down drag-out
on Spancil Hill
between Michelle and the recluse
But this wrath
this flame of youth
this bleeding heart show
this too shall pass.

Get it?

I think it’d be hilarious
to fake your own death
and then make a miraculous return.
And once everyone is so relieved
to know you aren’t really dead,
that’s when you kill yourself.