SHIPPING FORECAST

Eight o’clock nine o’clock radio news shipping forecast,

Light in the city of darkness when the man drops something

shiny and whispers ‘hot thing’ and swerves from the path

into me and then into the man next to me, does not say

‘hot thing’ does not drop shiny thing. Is just a man.

Prettier that way. To the right, river I won’t paddle in

because of the medication I haven’t taken. Beautiful lights,

and I prefer the dark. Everything has been more beautiful

taken away. Friends gone for Easter, warm and sticky out

music in my head that no one plays. Look, banjo, can’t

remember the last time I saw a banjo – all the beautiful

chords are dead. Night on friends’ sofa two weekdays in

a row. Slice me grapes and don’t ask first. Lover who has

never pulled my clothes off has done terrible things and

I look at her anyway, do I know when all I see is bad

and turn over running? Typed and pavloved, understand

what is good only when it is taken away. Love the light.

Dog with lampshade torch, man on leash. People lined

up at beer bar and an essay written and buried and loved.

Could carry all the buildings and paths in my arms. Palm

does not contain static roads alleys and chipped slate

pavements walking downhill when all I can see in the dark

is white socks but not the black Mary Jane’s. Take the place,

Spread it open in my palms. Wait for that world to touch my

fingertips as the bell rings. Love what is gone.