life: acoustic & amplified

illuminated

Bob:

Can I be your lazy eye, your wander-

lust, your grave without a headstone,

your bleeding gums, your buck teeth

and your walk bowlegged at the knee? Can

I be your fortune hunter, your glimpse

of wild geese, your red russet shoes

that poison the feet? Reckon this is the best

of my seed. Been stripping cane and blind

robbing the bees. Reckon you’ve thought

of swimming the creek. Last night they came

on horseback, white hoods like phantoms

scanning the trees, burning torches, shattering

sleep. I dragged the shotgun from the door

and stepped squinting onto the porch.

〰️

from Descent by Lauren Russell

One stood among the violets

listening to a bird. One went to the toilet

and was struck by the moon. One felt hopeless

until a trumpet crash, and then lo,

he became a diamond. I have a shovel.

Can I turn it into a poem? On my stove

I’m boiling some milk thistle.

I hope it will turn into a winged thesis

before you stop reading. Look, I’m topless!

Listen: approaching hooves!

One drowned in a swimming pool.

One removed his shoes

and yearned off a bridge. One lives

with Alzheimer’s in a state facility, spittle

in his white beard. It

turns out words are no help.

But here I am with my shovel

digging like a fool

beside the spilth and splosh

of the ungirdled sea. I can’t stop.

The horses are coming, the thieves.

I still haven’t found lasting love.

I still want to hear viols

in the little beach hotel

that’s torn down and gone.

I want to see again the fish

schooling and glittering like a veil

where the waves shove

against the breakwater. Gone

is the girl in her white slip

testing the chill with one bare foot.

It’s too cold, but she goes in, so

carefully, oh.

〰️

Lives of the Poets by Kim Addonizi

this trash – collected

this treasure – trumped

this friend – missing

this enemy – unknown

this flower – patient

this weed – a wish

this life – daring

this death – a stream

this beginning – after

this end – before

this good – abundant

this evil – unchallenged

this empty – receiving

this full – pouring

this token – memorial

this covenant – unlimited

this truth – evolving

this lie – exposed

this power – chandelier-ing

this slavery – shameful

this day – courageous

this night – for rest

this love – unending

this lust – lame

this busy – distraction

this patience – active

this bitter – uprooted

this sweet – running slow

this later – accepted

this now – my gift

this laughter – bubbling

this grief – deep blue

this doubt – faithful

this certainty – the war

this faith – foundation

this hopeless – a question

this beauty – sacred

this ugly – profane

this star – shining

this stone – singing

this me – beloved

this you – same as me

this many – imagine

this one – dreamer

this world – peace

this God – maker, creator, redeemer and friend

☯️

Amy Lloyd

Don’t be fooled by the neon friendliness,

like a “burgers and shakes” sign.

Don’t fall for the allure of great figures,

Moses and Elijah and Elvis assuring you

you’re on the road to the stars.

Don’t be waylaid by your cleverness

to have brought a box,

a very theological box, to put this all in.

Let’s be honest: it’s terrifying

to stand too close to a speeding train,

to get near to the power of God,

the light that can change you

into your own unknown,

the mystery that will surely consume you,

the love that will crack your life open

till the light all spills out

and you’re drawn to the cross,

kicking and screaming and grateful.

Maybe Jesus himself was a little freaked

at first to be turned into pure light.

As with any great force, if you’re not scared

you’re not paying attention.

Pay attention. Bow down, and listen.

__________________

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Unfolding Light