a man’s desire
Deceived by desire
So that in the moment
The people cast light from their bodies
“Light” being the white premeditation
The simplest fashion
What they want is light
Another source to equip
Their dry want
Want fire light. Space light
Discretions of neon
At least. So to appear natural
Where the sun is
360° of light
Consumed in the labors of comfort
That cries for the balm
Of all that is natural
Desire.
Bathing in the dark
The water glowing
In the plastic curtain
Suddenly heated
As another expels past satisfactions.
cold as she washes gas tears
From her man’s eyes. We hate you.
Hot on her soft thigh
Like the dog’s breath at noon by the Courthouse
We hate you for that
But ancient hands raised
This water
As the street’s preachers
Have a good understanding hear them
O israel this O israel that
Down here in this place
Crying for common privilege
In a comfortable land
Their anger is drawing the water
Their daughters is drawing the water.
Their kindness is laving and
Oiling its patients.
That day
The figures on the trucks inspired no one
Some threw the water
On their heads.
They was Baptists
And that day Horus bathed him in the water
Again
And orisha walked amid the waters with hatchets
Where Allah’s useful white men
Came there bearing the water
And made our street Jordan
And we stepped into our new land
Praise God. As it has been since the first time
Through the tear of a mother
THE LION IS THE LAMB
for Ben & Marylin
So that is why you miss certain people
Looking for them
A day. But the impressions
Are so different
Curtis is out on his own
A master, like the man said
On the radio
Ba ba ka ra ba ka
Ab ib rb ra brer
This is what is happening
Life. Ile lfe
The witness:
This is you one two hours ago
Now as real as a snapshot
Coming to Berkeley with the wrong
Magazine
In my hand. No wonder
I am not myself
But I’m learning
Within you
The stars wheel
And cakewalk
As usual, you think up
Something else to complain of
Since the day and the women
Are beautiful
You are not yourself
For which you are thankful
They thinking abt you and things
You know to tell them
They listening to Huey on the radio
Today’s lesson in temporary English
We say “you” politely
To avoid pronouncing your name
You are the one and the name
Of you is ancient, magic and powerful
Holy
We want you to be beautiful and
You are.
ANUBIS
A tiger stripped
Of passion
Is not equal
To a dove
The jackal is
A
