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6.10: Gratulate and Balter (Pinch the Salt), 061425

Remember this, (forget the rest; (what has been (foredone?)))

If you press me (for time; (we’ll press luck (and make more)))

Pack up (our punches; (let’s swing))

Do they say (that you are going places? (where’s it off to (next)))?

Entertain me (entertain this thought)

Two truths (become one lie: (“I’ve never ___”— (you fill in (the blank))))

Would you prefer (a story (or your eye))?

Are you prepared (to be (captured))?

Aim to amuse— (don’t shoot straight (don’t curate; (knoll collections))))

When did you admit (defeat (and start from scratch (again)))?

Tie me up (in ribbons (of new sheets))

What was kicked (and what was curbed (before enthusiasm))?

How do you spell (blessed (reassurance))?

Make yourself (a tourist (in your town— (there’s no place (like it; (go back (where you belong, (and sweeten up)))))))

Good gets better, (bad gets worse: (the worms (of the mish (arise (from it)))))

Embrace the past: (old melons (and hard biscuits, (bitter truths)))

Please document (and notice— (annotate))

Increase your elevation; (seek higher ground (with me))

Trust the song (to show you (what it is))

Develop a taste (for the novel. (be. (write.)))

Protect the superfluous, (preserve what is needed; (lay it on thick— (pinch the salt)))

Gratulate (and balter (as the oxen (in the grass)))

Like clowns, (eftsoons (we’re all foredone, (meseems)))

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6.3: Waits and Measures, 4/26/25

Please be seated, (stand as able, (get wind (of this (and buckle up— (recite (your wedding vows (in waits (and measures))))))))

Have me (at hello, (then take it (slow; (I’ll hold you (fast)))))

Our third thing (is ritual; (what’s yours))?

Make me (lose track (of the time (and our train)))

Locomotives (of thought (are now (boarding)))

Tell me (I’m the fun (for you, (and be the fun (for me))))

Each whistle (invites (an occasion))

Talk about a time (you pushed (your luck (and where it fell (and how it broke (and if you patched it (back together))))))

When did they say (you were right (all along; (you’ve shown us (the error (of our ways)))))?

Take shortcuts (to nowhere; (get lost (to be found)))

Further Reading (begets (close inspection))))

Express the unimaginable (sublime it (into words))

How great (the thirst, (how large (the glass, (how vast))))?

Don’t make (my mistake, (don’t end up (like me; (don’t mess with time— (it devours)))))

What is handed down (by hand, (what sums it up (right there, (when did the chickens (cry fowl)))))?

Tell me (do you come (when called, (what keeps you (on your toes? (a song (is both a river (and a net)))))) Remind me (of me: (who was then, (which is now)))?

Don’t refrain (from joining (in the chorus))

What’s is time’s (signature? (24/7))

The poetry (titles (itself))

Dedication (to a craft; (let’s make it (the new sexy)))

We cannot keep (the beat; (it comes (and goes)))

What costs (a pretty penny? (keep the change (and make it last)))

Which appetite (weighs most? (next call’s (not last)

Who’s on the jury (of your peers, (who populates (the god shelf)))?

How did you turn out, (what not for you, (what can’t you (say)))?

All the good stories (are true— (read nonfiction))

We’re doing our best here (I swear, (all we bear))

Stay beside me, (linger, (play delay— (long game (that pays; (bide patiently (today: (await arrival))))))))

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6.2: Time’s Signature, 4/19/25

You enjoy (indulging (me; (I like to be (indulged))))

Incite delight (in trains; (give in (to whims)))

Which one (is the dummy? (do ventriloquism (humor)))

When did you (kill the mood, (and how (did it die; (resurrect it (and start (a new life))))))

Pretend today (is Wednesday, (where the sky (is not (the limit))))

Start out (on one good note (and let it play))

Be awash (in subtext; (fewer words (yield more)))

An audience (of one (can be held, (rapt)))

Scant sliver, (brief finger (of moon, (served with wine)))

You brought me (your eggs; (it was worth it))

You got around (finally (to proving me (right)))

Now tear this (apart; (recompose us))

Name your (time signature (and your price; (tell tall tales)))

Good Fridays (beget (greater Sabbaths))

Write diaries (that wink, (scrawl autographs (within; (inscribe them (to yourselves (and love (your truths)))))))

Take your time (by design, (stairs are hard, (fun is fun; (operate (within constraints— (be free))

Write one note (as a song, (make it (twelve minutes (long, (accept your reward— (you’re a genius))))))

Draw the shape, (define the function (of the thing (that makes you (ache))))

Indulgence flows (both ways (through seas (of grace)))

Talk about a time (you spilled the beans (and healed all wounds))

What’s worth (every penny, (what is comin’ (‘round the mountain; (tell us (when you got it all (for free))))))?

How is character (kept? (draw your best (picture; (definitions (may not help us (understand))))))

Excel at the slow ones (any fool (can be fast))

Let cloud eight (and a half (be enough— (less is more)))

Bask in time’s (signature, (beat (with its heart— (where the hand (of the clock (signs its name))))))

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4.11: The One We Have to Love, 9/7/24

What makes tonight (tonight)?

How much (do you think (you know, (and what’s just (your best guess?))))

Would you rather (cook someone (a meal (or eat one (cooked for you))))?

Who’s our old poet guy (that died, (the one we have (to love)))?

Who’s the one (you have (to love? (know that (you’re mine)))

Permission not to think (or to remember, (employ no reason, (feel no doubt; (permission to pretend (we’re dead (and free))))))

Wait (who lives there, (how are they defined, (refined, (what makes (a who; (what else is there (to wonder)))))))?

How many notches (can you take it up? (my belt is a rope, (no notches (up or down))))

I have a story (that is pretty good (and really long; (ya think (ya wanna hear it?

(Ok, (make that pretty long (but really good; (that’s better? (you decide (how long (or short, (you let me (draw it (out))))))))))))))

Where do we go (on uncharted terrain? (we strike out (to wherever (we want))))

But where is there, (and how do we (arrive? (we’ll never make it (if our cats won’t let us (out)))))

We’ve developed a taste (for our own medicine; (take a swig, (wash it down (with a verse))))

Let’s be ourselves (together; (can’t find the songs? (let them find you (and speak))))

Play Clomping Around (in the Swamp , (it’s Bog Rock, (reverse (treppenwitz — (it’s a lift)))))

Draw your parts (accordingly, (interrobang‽ (a scribble)))

Turn real life (into fodder, (shine it up (and watch it glow)))

Wait, (what were we saying? (something lofty, (no doubt? (give your corpus callosum (some air)))))

Our English isn’t broken, (maybe tentative, (newborn, (make it dance, (give it a lifetime (of the good stuff)))))))))

Nonfiction tells you things (that happened, (fiction never does; (what’s the name (for what might be (or might have been (or not))))))?

Our own nonfiction (speculates, (its writing (forms duets, (leads to a question (that’s so hard (that even God (cannot respond)))

Would you buy (a house (on Murder (Island (Boulevard))))?

We’ve come into (our own, (and now we cannot (let it go)))

We’re each other’s (biggest fans (and differently, (together, (is the only way (we know)))))

Carefully execute (the next (sixteen steps, (and the night (will take care (of itself)))))

Don’t forget (to make it snappy; (titivate, (and don’t scrimp (on the fun))))

We have a name (for this— (we call it (“do it dirty” (season))))

Spice it up (with pleasure oil; (spread it (on your toast)))

“I’d drive (a thousand miles (to suck the cock (that fucked her (once;” (Ross Gay (heard it (at the gym, (and we amended))))))))

Now draw your area (of expertise, (mark Y (and go to town)))

We’re human animals, (long-painted (to a corner, (growing smaller, (out of which (the only way (for us (is art))))))

Is this too much (to ask (or not enough? (you do me (dirty (in the bad-sun, (good-sun (season; (good suns (facilitate the leap— (“farewell, cruel world!” (the bad ones burn; (we wallowed, (now we sprawl)))))))))))))

Hiding (in the shadows (or basking (in the light, (we’re talking (to the ones (who’ve got it all))))))

Let time (tell its tale; (connect the dots (and die (with zero balance, (run off (like the dish (and spoon; (we’re never coming (back)))))))))

Did we (find our love (or make it? (found some, (and then made more))))

We, (tender (tenders (of The Seldom Scene )))

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4.10: Agree to Drown (Let’s Do It Like Horses), 8/31/24

We’ve all agreed (to claim (that we believe (these things (are true))))

When fact (is not (an obstacle (the meaning (is what’s left))))

We fell (into parentheses (and stayed))

Talk about a time (when you didn’t see it (coming, (when it wasn’t (on your radar (‘til it hit)))))

Hunt the white whale (pretzel stout, (the pretzel is the meat, (and make us two (with everything; (we’ll take it)))))

Talk about a time (when you uttered (your last words (a bit too soon— (premature departure blurb, (redacted)))))

Talk about that time (you died, (you perished (of embarrassment, (protracted fall (from grace, (wouldn’t be (your last)))))))

Talk about a time (when you took it (with a salt grain (of the earth)))

Add dramatic (and ironic (slide guitar (with parenthetical (addenda, (treppen- (witz))))))

Or tell a joke (as court stenographer (with poo emoji ([shudder])))

A caller tells you (he knows no one, (never will (and never has— (“Well, there was that time (in West Virginia (when I knew some people once, (but I’m never going back (to there (again”)))))))))

Does it say (guitar slides in? (it does now, (didn’t then)))

Give the gift (of story, (an interwoven art; (put on your socks (to feel them blown (right off)))))

Let’s Do It (Like Horses; (it’s called (pony play; (are you ready (for me (to be right))))))?

There’s more than one way (let the cat (keep his skin, (but an awful lot (rides (on this duck)))))

Talk about a time (that you endured (a style cramp; (what’s for the record, (and what’s off, (and what falls (in between?))))))

Play notes (between notes; (other scales (weave a story— (to play it (sing two notes (at once))))))

How high are your hopes (and how low can they go? (have a pie (in the sky (when you die (quid pro quo)))))

Say no more (and say it (to my face— (our body narrative (a text (that’s written (with four hands (and several limbs, (strong branches (that bespeak (deep roots))))))))))

Don’t turn around, (agree to drown; (surrender to the love (that states its name— (we’re full of it (with room (for plenty more))))))

It’s exactly (as good (as we need it (to be; (we rise (to the occasion, (and the proof (is in the pudding: (poke its belly, (summon giggles, (make us squeal (until we cry; (a little extra laughter (never hurt)))))))))))))

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3.21 Next-to-Last Words (Tender Resignation)

Which words (will be (your next (to last; (what’s burnt (your pocket (whole))))))?

Do “out-of-frame elbows (connect arms (with arms”; (does water (seek always (its level)))))?

Do you know me? (say it to yourself— (faceblindness; (say it to the mirror)))

Call them all (Life Sentences (let’s strike a chord (and light a match; (set genre (to dark whimsy)))))

Now pack your bags (leave space (for travel chimes (and hold me (in belief))))

Road ease (breeds discontent, (exacts the price of life, (extracts the cost of living (well; (take long ways, (wrongs ways, (cycle paths— (reanimate (dead ends)))))))))

What are the rules, (and do you know them (well enough (to toss them out? (we learn in haste; (at leisure (make the breaks))))))

There we were (beside ourselves, (with what (but glee (alone))))

There we were (beside ourselves (tell about a time))

Describe the cap (you wear (to think— (a bonnet (for a wizard))))

Have you been here (all along; (have we))?

Tell me, (please: (is “suddenly (and unexpectedly” (the way you want (to die (as well))))))?

Do you set off bombs (in your own brain)?

Do you lift your head up (willingly (to slip the collar on; (do you welcome it, (or do you turn (away)))))?

Are you “innocent (of all the violent things (your thoughts imagine (doing”)))?

Talk about a time (when you had to face the facts (or pay (the price, (or be the one (to lurk (within the margins))))))

Creep up (gently (on the shadows, (it’s your turn (to give (the scare; (be on a roll, (reversed— (beware, (and look (alive))))))))))

Bend me over (easy, (do your worst (and make it (good; (I'm asking you (to make your worst (your best)))))))

What I’m saying, (what I want is: (give me your best (worst)))

To be reborn (you’ve got to die (once (first)))

Our feet (are podia, (the body, (lectern— (do you read me? (read my lips: (no taxes; (prose your poem)))))))

First and final steps: (where lies (your Treppenwitz? (first step— (it’s still alive; (once you’ve descended, (call it back— (revive it)))))))

We’re working (through a poem; (we knead (our daily bread— (we earn it (and we break it; (stuff it in your mouth (and swallow (whole))))))))

We’ve taken flaming custody, (the candle, (on the wall— (alight, (ascends, (while down we go (together (to the deep)))))))

Where was this, (where we were (before right now, (and where next, (after then))))?

What “hides (behind (the barest line” (of leg”)))?

Your sentence (struck a match, (and now (you have to (douse your fist, (or is it military medals (that we polish?))))))

Hold the phones, (force your hand, (pierce the page (and eat it— (our narrative, (a cereal; (the poems, (a prose)))))))

Draw Treppenwitz (with ladder (made of rope— (call (back))))

The narrative (is lived, (lies on the page, (where captured (and retold (to live again, (incarnate))))))

Ask for less, (expect this (sort of thing (no more, (and settle (for the best))))

Crack me open (find the hidden (gem; (behold (a liquid ball: (San Pedro Springs— (if this is love (I’m for it)))))))

Leave room (for more, (a vacant space; (a place for vacancy (to dwell; (room at the inn (tomb of one’s own— (sossego ao final))))))

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Common Palace (Blurb Your Muse), 6/27/24

May I? (please, (and shall we? (let’s)))

We’ve achieved (complete concordance (soul, (eclipse; (the sol’s eclipse is full, (all suns (are blotted out; (dim the lights (and burn out every sun; (invite the drift)))))))))

You like (that I know (what you need (and bestow it))) We live within (a common palace, (hold it to your lips (and drink)))

We share a gift: (ourselves, (made one)) What do you see (through these new eyes? (do they enjoy it (just as much (as did the old? (in meadow 23 (a doll’s house (welcomes)))))))

Sing a loop (within the journey, (make trips (round (again; (we spin (the devil’s wheel, (we ride our bikes)))))))

You said tonight (no funnies (and no poems; (we’re breaking (all the rules))))

Deny the truth (through gritted teeth; (conceal your pain, (feel comedy (get made))))

The common palace (is a shared plate (club— (we made this (be (a thing; (we brought it (into life (from not))))))))

We grow old, (become peripheral; (an aging core (rides home (to roost))))

Talk about a time (when it held up, (it stood the test (of time— (right now))))

Make room (to loom (in our new palace, (pair it (with a plate))))

Try sugar baby apples: (what if red delicious (really were— (were read, (not red? (try sugar, (babe, (instead; (surprise! (a consolation (and a treat: (sweet apples, (meet)))))))))))

We write just as feverishly (as briefly; (once the fever starts (we’re almost done; (make smaller! (slower!! (lesser!!! (worse!!!! (Frail Snails))))))))

We revel (we reveal, (we hide (and peek; (we seek (the latitude (and aperture (to wallow (within words— (obliviate, (live on the page, (engage, (and there remain; (we blurb the muse)))))))))))))

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What We Knew by Being, 6/19/24

Talk about a time (when right was worse (than wrong— (“If this is right, (then count me out; (I’m not gonna play”))))) Give me something either very deep (or really dumb— (you’d better make it (good; (don’t mess it up)))) What’s heaven, (where there’s No Wrong Answers, (or is that death itself)))? Do you color (well outside (the lines; (is this a draw)))? Things we knew (by being: (that the earthworms (joined the rain; (that some trees (would let you (climb them; (that you would (caress the wood, (that you’d climb, (that this was good)))))))))) That behind the Reason (lurked the story (they’d all agreed (to claim (to buy; (they said fake it (til you make it (when they meant (get by, (then die))))))))) What do you call (nostalgia’s now, (and that for what’s not (come to pass)))? When you were at your end of wits (describe the view, (what was it like))? What’s your default subtext? (mine is, “please don’t hurt me,” (mine is, “is this how it goes?” (mine is, “do I do it right, (and are we in on this together, (and will you tell me, (when it’s over, (how it went, (that it was fine?”)))))))) Will you tell me (when it’s over (that it was let (to be enough)))?

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Shrink your sphere (to a dot, (deed and dash, (less is more)))

In order words, (go back and forth (forever— (make it count)))

Make it pour (confetti fodder; (doubtless seeds (yield food (for thought))))

We will the light (to last (a little longer))

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The Hurricane is Coming (and We’ve Burned Through All the Suns)

Even if it’s very good (it’s suspect; (even if it’s suspect (it’s still good— (what is it?))))

It’s guitar shreds: (licks so slick (they can’t be trusted, (always up to something)))

What is the price of progress: (how many suns (have all burnt out (for us (to shine so bright, (and can we get (refunded, (is it too late (to put them back))))))))?

Go back to a time (when you swallowed (your pride (with a pill, (when you choked (them both down, (bitter bite))))))

Tell us when (a prize consoled, (when did you (buy it last?)))

Our poems (amount to (fucking, (eating, (little more— (why not? (there’s nothing else, (is there? (just sleeping, (shitting, (laughter, (joy— (all our dishonors, (mentioned)))))))))))))

Which is more (your life: (a cautionary tale (or joke)))?

Our story premise: (you’re the only one (who doesn’t know (the hurricane (is coming, (and the murderer (is on the loose; (that’s why it’s (oh so quiet; (where do you go, (what do you do?))))))))))

Let me do the words (you’ve let me; (you let me put in here (out there, (and you liked it (when you saw)))))

What if there’s no water (in the well— (the money blown, (the sex dried up, (unlocked from the embrace (with one’s own brain, (there’s nothing left, (what then)))))))?

Which poems (are grocery lists, (and which (are menus? (this, (our Common Palace, (meals we serve (in several rooms))))))) People aren’t supposed to be (old-fashioned, (that’s for stuff; (old stuff is cool, (old folks (are not— (both age)))))) Tell us (what’s unknown (to all (but you; (what have you done (and how?))))) The well is dry, (the sun’s burnt out, (the money’s gone, (we’re spent, (what’s left? (be word nerds (what else is there? (here’s what’s left)))))))