Absence

Monkeyshine
swing brightly
so circus
shine
Cheshire-grin
two-in-hand
tarnished
ticking tango
it's trillium time.

Quicksilver current
queen of shades
on an Andalusion
tide-riding
time machine.
Brothers three
Castor, Pollux
and Old Jim Beam
she's
eclipsing Luna
and it's only half-past twelve.

Claim-jumping
(you've got)
two talents
and a burlap bag
always the rush...
and that right now
Mr. Forty-Niner
fax me
some of that fool's gold
I'm asking
I'm prospecting
asking alchemy.

Ode to Love and Appetite

Venus could be instructed in the use of her charms
Advised in the art of endearment
Love, though too often confined to the loins
Engenders itself best to the palate.
No embrace, no kiss, nor ecstatic utterance
Tantalizes as does a slightly teased souffle.
Inciting pathos...
Negotiating reluctance
Enabling rapturous gourmet bliss.

valentine

ode to an oval office

If I connect - I get connected...
self-important - self-elected...
and always paychecks before personality.
Oh, sweet superficiality!
Oh, blessed greed!
You're all I need...
I'm alone but I am number one.

"Yes" I said, "I agree."
I heard myself "What's in it for me?"
My attention - my personal Christ.
My lilting soul, profit, the heist.
This the test, but it's been forty days.
Do I speak the violence or am I the prey?
I'm all alone except for the sun.
I'm alone and I'm still number one.