Camped out near river falls of gold, in grab bags
climb attempts . since Noah, who’ll pair ‘n’ ark
all in ? jaws open, dazed though not by the ocean
coming rise | god growths in the bone; in public slack
flesh flogging.
At crash sites, not all glass shards swept up, they
purchase ‘n’ place flowers | to win new lease hearts
lower limbo^like under . sticks that poke at fate
sand holdings.
Cycling past long lines outside the Embassy, near
broke as forever^heads refuse to step away . toss
feathered hats, the rumpus^rodeo stories; mud
reptiles oil – Nothing’s door frame.
~
In^out heaven’s vault breath
savings not secure as Numbers weigh . for hopes
that spend on prayers even the horse whose hoofs
upturn the earth has betting limits.
Fingers test with tips near end
sea humors, benign today ? lighthouse^missed
chest full heavings.
Arrgh! every siren in the world warns
of clouds with rocks in them | find your spot, get
to penguin^like Alt warming – emperor of mode,
souls in glacier mass wait.
– W.W.
THE MORALISER AND THE FATALIST MONK
As a river cannot drown you on high ground
nor a whirlwind raise dust out of a deep pool
nor the best tools guarantee a fair craftsman;
as you can punish lawbreakers but not force
sainthood onto common wayward souls like mine
– so cannot the true path make me stay on it.
Yes, see, I follow it, and keep falling off.
………………………………………..
(from “Readiness” by Brian Chan, 2013)
FARJOURNEY CARIBBEAN 