After the Party
Jesse's shirt, I address you in the affirmative
early hour I handle with honor
if only
it were serious enough
&
linens to be discussed
decorate this day
every hour a new babe is born
Am I serious enough
to be addressing Blake? Do I care?
Dressing and undressing
there simply
are no rules. I am serious.
—Patrick James Dunagan
THE INSISTENT
ear insists,
is a
nuisance,
asking for
meaning
in the
writing,
words
in the saying.
Insists in
the asking.
Night closes
door window
opens,
to begin
in words
with words.
The ear-
in the instant,
again.
—Patrick James Dunagan
I Haven't Even Told You Who I Am
I work in the back room, planting igloos.
I came to this occupation with no set purpose.
I heard they were hiring and applied, dreaming "adventures on ice."
I believe I wooed the boss with my tall tales and heroic looks.
Most mornings I drink coffee and rest easy.
Most begin without deliberate end.
Most remain inside as I go out.
Most would cite obscure texts and leave it at that.
As if I wasn't aware, alive in all this wet heat.
As if igloos.
As if in old photos the halls of my youth.
As if ever.
Here's the thing: this isn't going anywhere.
Here's the thing, quote,
"Here's the thing. Believe in what's said or don't. It won't change anything."
Here's the thing: I no longer believe in this particular thing.
—Patrick James Dunagan
Bloggie Ars Poetica
I understood what the intruders meant
when the ugliness of their words
shone back at me via a webb’d existence
only a slow-minded mammal
would bother fooling with.
—Patrick James Dunagan