April 08, 2007

Look Over Me
          for Merle Haggard


I’ve got a mind to see the internal world

as those felt and faithful places

ready for the restless form towards grace


the acceptance

of the inaudible male tames the cede from stakes

assumes the cause is free


since it turns to closeness and is overcome

in the broad outshine of the small town

together as it is


as together they dance and promise

to task the boundaries

as together they sing me back home

 

—Jordan Stempleman

Posted by dwaber at 01:49 PM

April 07, 2007

As the Perfumist Goes on Attacking What Cannot Defend

 

            “So much depends on recognitions and misrecognitions—noticing, rethinking,
identification—identity and mistaken identities—pairings and partings.”

 

 —Tom Beckett

 

 

this growing and endless speech frees itself at next take

gathers the further step past the loss of remains

from the generous

 

from the awaiting when offered

never to become the native and irrational place again

but those untended places

 

folded to know they were here

uncertain and no longer materials out there otherwise

out looking for their own

 

 

 

—Jordan Stempleman

Posted by dwaber at 01:47 PM