Clade Song 2

Natured

1.     de-

So far we fall
be
               twist
               I fail

flag & all             
fest

tuned by
            fret
 
fast to avail-
            able
front

I fake it for-
ward

a foot  
          flaps

a lip    
fixed  tongue

to full   &
            lull-

                 some  roof

            room a

room     
falls into

be quick my
feet
             and gather
 
ye dust
as ye may

2.  un-

It’s down to this:   If a vain hand reaches for the ball
or for the door

give me lassitude and enough green to fire by

last knock for the last graduating class:
we’re just what we’re rumored     to be

     but it’s never been less

satisfying
to say so

you have your choice:  some sort of magazine one’s a-
round the other’s

subject matter.      
hurry fast-

    it’s back to the waiting

room—  back to  droning anchor
this beached and breached vessel  

                                        barnacle the scrimshaw as if preference

plays a role. It’s two in the habit,
for every one on the wheel.  Think better (of me) next time.


3. in

ruminant hash   half-replenished
in the hollow

risible   to that end
belly up  
in topsoil    to that

you’re in the room   
                        or
in the grass

a kind of in-
terruption

jaws distended

teeth rake
back draw the small body   in


4. trans-

Betcha hoover in the duff  but root the gloryhounds out
snoutlike kisser hewn rough in profile all

bent in the bootheel  there’s a pancake under the wheel
and a fool behind it the buffet line snakes

across the interstate  we gave it better than we got- head’s
have it, tail, hands work the rank oubliette  

it’s our turn to crowd the pinhead, angels
absolution’s constituents animal in appetite and why not?