A team of peasant gardeners

hardened to the climate shrivelling them

breaks for an early lunch by the roadside. They are always here

because here is always here too, which is inevitable.

Brilliance escapes from the sun to the unfinished highway upon which our sandalled feet will never tread.

Hearts are so difficult to find now,

and one imagines that spirit is become extinct

as no-one sees fit any more to be scintillating.

(I really like this tune; it is so tuneful.)

Although spit would not dissolve in my mouth

(I was born of parents who refused me nothing)

it would seem appropriate to accommodate

another presence in this fleeting moment.

I received a note from Chloë yesterday, asking me where she has been of late. This seems perverse, as I don’t know where anyone has been of late, as I myself have been away and managing my affairs by remote control. She also begged to remind me that these are the days that try to turn into weeks and months but will stop short at turning into years. I have no idea what she’s talking about. Indeed, I don’t know who this Chloë person is. I can only assume the note was delivered to the wrong address.

from Works in Progress

I am so happy

but I know tomorrow

I will be unhappy.

                from “Up and Down and Sideways”

The sun is out

but here come the clouds.

                from “Today’s Weather”

I am so happy

but I know in the morning

I will be the exact opposite.

                from “I Think I’ve Said This Before”

“The sweat of the sun, the tears of the moon”

sun god

king

child of the sun

dark road

black dog

“To live in the Sun’s warmth while others spend their eternal days in the cold earth”

widows spared

honeyed earth

forcing patience

burned water

opinion stretched

dejected fire

spatial consequence

collapsed air

fellowship widows

COUNTRY NOTES (3)

The sun bear when gorged with honey

scratches for luck with its claws

the golden horseshoe upon its breast

and turning around in its skin looks for its love. But,

its eyes opening dimly upon a star-starved world,

it can only smell the perfume of its desire.

I think you know what you are in my heart no matter what I say I think you are there I am calm to face the problem of my life

I think you know what I say in my heart I think you are the problem of my life it does not matter I am calm to face what you are

I think you know that what matters is you are in my heart I think you and I are there to face the problem I am you and you are my calmer life