turning the stone

further emphasize pursuit
salvation
ass develops
picaresque mini-arcs mirrors
miniaturizes the dual narrative psyche
intervention stabbing socrates neck
bladder pieces come together over my face
laughing talking clog the sponge with with blood
walking swords entry
drunk yawned wide keeled deep void of hope
stop searching rosa for the golden ass
actively pursue happiness about change
perfect life better however
he will disappear repercussion curiosity flees
he too is in love never truly quit
embrace become immortal
eternal
turning on the stove
before you forget dinner
the salve is hungry sleep
through the divine sanctuary
flag pole
top
a careful benefit

-gishi bian
robert payne

not thirsty today

i ain't thinkin'
bout much
but tangle bush
and bramble weed

flys on my legs
wasps on my nose
leaves
blasting yellows
and burnished deep reds

tupelo

yellow dogs
babies wide eyed
french toast railing about butter
picture frame empty
sun bearing down

been given another day

there is an end

i had it all mapped out
philosophy
problems
solutions
in the end
it has been about beer and pussy

ranch

the dog
open road rolling
dirt
blooming high plains flowers
brush
horizon
barbed wire picket fence stretched ahead
like eyes lashes
against a cornflower blue sky

brite clouds in small bunches
hid the afternoon sun
edges lit up

we turned back
complex family barbecue
i ate too much

hours before we would leave
i should have stayed home

the walk was worth it

one morning

sitting by the water
mist tumbles
over the foreground of water
the backdrop is
new spring trees
billowing fresh green

close to the water's surface
fly small black birds
maybe a flock of a hundred
tiny wings spotted white
they flew inches from the surface

never did they dive in
or touch the lake

below the fog they darted
a mating ritual?

i walked away
watching some more
we were solitary
on this cool june morning
my dog "scotch," and i
and this bevy of dark black birdies

come don quixote

so the day moves on
no incredible happenings
a bit of wind
a bit of rain
sparrows litter the concrete
at this patio cafe
my dog eats some ice
cold coffee satisfies
a long walk ahead
tree lined streets
squirrels
pigeons
small children
people doing lawn and garden chores
america stands still
feel no pain
come don quixote
tilt a few windmills