Vanessa

moments from years

over the course of a lifetime

that we've connected

a woman-in-training

I’ll see your shining face

looking forward in genetic reflection

and hopefully smiling

I wrote about you in Cut

but don’t really think of you like that

I’d rather see your grace

though we can talk about it all

it’s about time, my tribe

we’ll be at depth when you breathe permission

but in the meanwhile the fridge is packed

and the ink’s on Broadway

waiting for skin

or pierced

because there’s blood Here

and I'm glad you're home amongst the loved

I hope you experience it

because there's a ferry to catch

and shows to see

world-famous bisquits and gravy

and good people who want to meet you

to see the art in you

from me?

gratefully more days in a lifetime

thank you for your shining face

and thank the All for your intelligence and wit

looking forward in genetic reflection

I'm smiling

and internally dancing like a fool

because you’re mine

I didn't know...

How incredibly interesting

that we love

what we can't have

what we can't know

what's just out of reach

despite our best intentions

we are sucked in even though

as if looking for the trap to jump into

so that when we've held it in the palms of our hands

and even laid it down as a sacrifice

to be carved into God knows what

we yet crave more

and the farther away

the more elusive

the more we love

isn't that strange?

that discontentment with the joy we have

or had

or could have had

that somehow it is flawed

and just not good enough

the beauty right before our eyes

turns as to dust by our neglect

and only when it blows away

do we chase it like fools

Rose

A friend told me to take it slow
to stop awhile, come smell a rose
beside the stream where she still goes
a bud, a vine, a rosepatch grows

I stopped and sat amongst the vine
breathed in pleasure's sweetened wine
a sumptious meal for all to dine
I thought to take, but it wasn't mine

To spend day bent over flower
filled with fragrance felt within
vines cling about with bursts of power
new petals emerge, a life begins

A rose is more than flower and vine
stamen, petal or dewdrop still
a heady essence of colour divine
a creation of life, it's terms fulfilled

The King

And now for something a little fluffier...



There before bewildered eyes was him, behold, The King
Mutton chops and poofydoo top he locked his legs to sing
white jumpsuit dazzling sequins, I reached for him to touch
the crowd went in hysterics when he Thanked you very much

I said "Elvis, where'd you come from? I thought that you were gone!"
But here you are like a Vegas star just bursting into song!
He said "Alan baby it's been like gravy to be off with far-off friends"
It wasn't a crock the King of Rock had been with aliens...

Now I know that some think they've seen him at the local Tastee Freez
he serves em cones and nachos as he pushes money keys
but here's The King before me and it's him, Oh God, it's him!
I think I need a sedative cuz I've edged over the rim...

So if an Elvis sighting comes and you doubt the tabloid press
I tell you man say what you can but disregard the rest
cuz he's the guy who touched the sky while posing as a junkie
and the voice that sings might just be The King
or a slurpee selling flunky.

The Holy

Why’d they refuse you entry?

Cat, they just don’t understand

you’re my brother, but hell they let me in

Salaam, my brother Yusef

I have always loved you

even when you went away

but Shine, Shine, Shine…

we just don’t respect your pilgrimage

your holy trip

it’s always set you apart

you’ve always had second sight

and I’ve loved you for it

been in love with you

since forever

before you went to Mecca

before you had tea with your tillerman

before you teased the firecat

before you offered Buddha his chocolate

and now especially since

I’ve drunk your wine, my brother

I love you so much

you bring me to God, to your Allah

Shine, Shine, Shine

Cut

what does that feel like, to open yourself like that?

is it cathartic?

to feel something?

anything at all?

because you’re so full of pain?

that there is no room for more?

that it will come out somehow?

to release your demons?

or release your soul?

why is it that I act out?

and you act in?

won’t you stop, my baby?

I’ll buy you all the pizzas you want

I’ll do anything for you

a n y t h i n g

to stop your flow

before it drowns you