NATHAN PARKER

 

 

                                     



LIFE BY THE SPIRIT

 

 

                                             you

off hard coins         bite portraits
from

locked knuckles loose           hot
mountain

rubies thru white                robes
see

my                          misshapen—
how

can a man do this when        he is
old?


                                               but
                              
                              whether  there
                              is choice wine,

                              it will     stoop.
                              applause    will

                              detonate     tin
                              foil       in your

                              teeth.     music
                              will        be like

                              gravel           or
                              machine     gum.

                              flowers        will
                              learn             the

                              names of your
                              kids.



(be           still)

your    kidneys
might    cramp

up you   might
urinate  scraps

of iron        but
this works  out

for            your
deliverance.

who            can
contain

experience?


                           careful.  it works like flying does in
                           a dream. you can't want it too much.

 

                                                                                                      

 

      

 

                                   

 

 


TYPO 21