FOR FAME OR FABLE

Copyright © 2003 by Dan Burke. All rights reserved. Printed in theUnited States of America. No part of this book may be used orreproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission,except in the case of brief quotations in critical articles and reviews.For information address: NOW PUBLISHING NOW, 513 Coeurd’Alene Avenue, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814.

It was late one night on lysergic acid, after walking the dark streetsof South Chicago, when inspiration came. It fell from theMidwestern stars like maple syrup, inspiring sweet vision in pieces,drop by drop. Leandro, thank you for sharing your vision.

Cover and title page design by Jason Steed.

International Standard Book Number: 1-58736-164-7Library of Congress Card Number: 2002116115

Visit www.nowpublishingnow.com for more information on FORFAME OR FABLE and other independent albums and books byDan Burke.

We are the night diamondsWe are the stars

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Escape . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .11Mind Blimps . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13Felda . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15The Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17Fathers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21Our Little Game . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23Pale Yellow Misunderstanding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .25The Craving . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .27Salvation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29Voyage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31Ambiguity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .35Waiting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37The Pull. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39Color Box . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .41The Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .43Listen. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .45Night Serpent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47Capsized . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .49On the Corner. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51Explosion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53Deceived . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55Winter Witch . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57Break . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59Imagine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61The Gift . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .63A Continental Lighthouse. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65Supper in North Beach . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .67The Little City . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .69Union . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .71Hopeful . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .73Reclamation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .75Zeros . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .77The Takeoff. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .79God Is Hiding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .81Rising . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .83

Meditation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .85I Win . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .87Glimpses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .89I Know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .91Racing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .93Come Play . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .95Old Lover . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .97Green. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .99Not Will Alone. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .101Kansas Avenue Pen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .103Spongy Tide . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .105My Teacher . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .107Daydreamer. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .109Drowning. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .111Caught. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .113Indentured Spirit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .115Clean Horizon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .117

FOR FAME OR FABLEFOR FAME OR FABLEFOR FAME OR FABLEFOR FAME OR FABLE

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Spin tonight my satellite And take us far awayForget the cold, the rain and snow It’s with the moon we’ll play

Among the godsWith thoughts of loveThe past would never be

Just you and IOur hands in handsAnd all the world to see

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As I lie upon this starlet rayI cannot abide my sinking mindHosiery of the ancients are sprinkled softly upon this cold surfaceFanfare of winking childrenBlinking, waiting, thinking…distant Spread among the blacknessSour with the smell of stale breathOceans of negro blimpsSail in perfect harmonyToward a sinking kind

And I lie nakedFalling into eternity Trapped inside my little mind

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On Tuesdays her tooth rangThe whole town sat anxious and waited

Then, buzzing loudlyOut of turn and patientA young girl giggled with heel clicksSo the townspeople stabbed her with fearAnd her pillow soft middle that bubbled with laceDanced like winded sheet sails

But no storm ever mounted

So the little girl laughedAnd her little tooth rangAnd the clacking of heelsAnd the buzzing of child freedom

Then the townspeople silenced And drew narrow-lipped faceAnd waited ’til next weekIn patient disgrace

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I.

Open palms Stained with dry loveTurn over wrinkled And drop rivers of radianceThe ray of talk smooth dims To echoes of whispers reflex

In the sand where time siftsRubbing arms with drunken fodderElements of elk hooves Seep in the form of prancesAnd deli meat grows sourAnd lipstick dries in the corners of open mouthI am this much richer than holiness now

II.

Beaded frustration of ageless forestsAre scrubbed of garnets for grimeAnd yellow gloves of sterile tongues Give pleasure in caution And is felt as simulation

While over in EastwoodBelow the decks of grand wordClay sun heats longing eyesAnd children come from far With white hats and dreams

If, fear, simulationThe plastic never melts away

III.

In August I surrender long shadows mopingTired scent of work, hope is dryingAnd foxed set of world waiting, that has waitedAnd human hand is only as good as human hand

But what about the distanceOn the shelf, behind glassThis we see as vintage, top shelfPutty hands cannot reach

Gray hair laughs with infected lungsWith wheezing heartAnd times snapped once, maybe twiceThen dinner music risesLaughs lick earlobesGlasses click and rubAnd visceral is easySo is left to be

IV.

But ho! A new image waitsIt is a screen risingForeheads bob up, it is stretchingTo new worlds of recompenseI repent and stretchAnd muscles flexThe green rise of revere in morningSwinging sideways from me

Then I see a visionSteam rising behind my canvas

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And muscles tighten while wet weather illuminates my canvas clearStars burst from dim as heavens sculpt themselves in palms of glee

Generous life declares its presenceAnd glows wild prism within eyes of child smilingThe consummation of now pulsing through vivid heartIs the echo of true bloodFeeding fetusGrowing soulsMaking knownKindred artistLeading from treasonDancing lightAbandon reason

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The smooth of angels’ voicesDance like sheets in winter windGray clouds team in reckless approachSky darkening

Children are called inside While grown-ups prepare for nightDouble-checking gatesLatching screen doors

While inside warmFingers thaw around eggshell mugsThe scent of cinnamon dancesWith the pitter-patter of socked feet

But father comes in coldWith windy hair and braven browAnd children freeze for a moment To calculate the air

Gray night has not left us here!

But what about preparationWhat about gates lockedEven checked twice!

There is negligence stirringRooted in cold tombstonesYelling in icy tonesForming gray clouds Drifting into cracksPermeating wood and metal

The children waitIn silence they shiverThey paint horror onto dark wallsThat read in secret

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I see new rivers runJagged steeples of gray enterprise Peek closely at my prancesWe joke with heavy hearts

But a cord is connected to my light box of hopeIt strangles livestockCold lizards run outAnd sore elephants fallHorses with six feet fly away in fearLonely monkeys with sad eyes sit helplessAnd once golden trees of memoriesTaper slim and emaciated

I sip quietly from this new riverAnd drink from it dead dreams of salty tearsThere I watch my mother drinkAnd brother, and loverThe cables that mount their chests are screwed in tightFastened with bolts and thread

But then blinders hideAnd illusion is dismalThe fuzz of rain keeps tappingTo the rhythm, my feet keep walking

The peaked steeples of enterprise keep watchingInto the water I drink, knowing somewhere A jungle runs loose, screaming for justiceThe mutiny rips beauty with shameAnd the master changes station during commercial break

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Soft hide of calfTail feathers of cottonA craned neck in wonderWatching patient with dish-brown eyes

In the air a rain of wonder droolsDrawing like nightshadesTired, impatient for rest

Her chin falls loose-lipped yawningButter melts on pancakes of morningIt sleds on top of buttermilkTo round-rim edge white

Her words pour slowly brown mapleAnd fall lazy on spongy lies

O the delicate delicacy of dawnRapping winded on cool windowsTapping foolishly out of rhythmScattered on thin paperWhile warm cakes of winter Slice in symmetric wedgesAnd dismantle wholesome edgesOf riverboats paddling south

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How comfortable are youDancing with all this fragile humanityThese wind swords blazingTwice as destructive as fist or metal

And the chime in your eyes So comfortable and sureWhile this tornado burns in secretBeyond your wrinkled nose

I peg you in honestThe delicate hue of autumnDancing patterns on wood floorsChasing carpet and cattailsAnd the motoring of heat as chill makes its presenceThe delicate rhythm of sun’s distanceO lopsided globe!

I beg innocence in twisting morningFor confidence in youSo that strength may sedate my palpitating heartThe sweetness of your scent intoxicating, medicatingAnd then I realize, life is nothing moreThan a series of fixes

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Clean thoughtsLike summer rain adorned with morningDamp as it wrestles with the sweet scent of time

Unclean thoughts Torn like old curtains Reeking of forgetfulnessScreaming with uneven bellows of windy windows open

Wet night Forgetful as the midday dryAs cold as ice contractingForming cool puddles over life

Your lightBreaking silence with rippled pleasureHolding time as a prisonerWashing thoughts from cluttered mind

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I.

Hidden, lined in plumesTassels of ostrich blackHer sawdust eyes pose oceans of questionsAn invitation really

My bare chest pulsingWet to dancing musicI trip in rhythmless questHer tail wags slowly behind

She slips away from meAnd the picture of her wholenessSkips DJ’s vinyl desk

I lip lean tasting saltConscious of my bodyAnd push deeper into wet sandLetting go of warm waters

And I prowl like devils on the marshCasting purple shadows on buzzing backgroundsDizzy with fullnessAn overflow of palate sopping

The space where teeth and lips touchGlisten and tremble with breathingWe rise to red wrinklesOf fingers bent crooked

II.

Pulling heads away and upHer hair dreams eastward in whimpering light

O the silent waters of sailing at nightMoon over ocean stillLulling soft tidesI am the captain proud

And she, my hammock to warm breezesIn a gulf beneath banana treesSinging softly under green tea leavesDancing with leaning brown

I have traveled leagues of beige nights to climb within these glovesAnd to press these oars of memoryAgainst cool currents of hope familiarCollecting newnessFeeding heartCleaning soiled peacock’s coat all foldedBouncing timid and coyLike child in strange wonder

III.

Then motherly hands grip firmlyOpening new lightCoating heart with great gas of dreamingKnocking on front doorsTucking sheets behind tired moundsKissing foreheads softlyIn mirrored light of morningWhining honest in the pale touch of half sleep

The river listens to distant calls of forest brethrenThe sky, the trees, shore and pebblesSoak patient within the cinnamon whispers of her ostrich furAnd her gleaming eyes of question sparkle

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As the skipping stones of acceptanceBeat across my glossy chest

I push away from mind, from projectionFuture or past, and rock gently by momentRowing patient, riding onSmooth glass

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Pulse in rainwaterRippled mirror reflects sky and green eyesSmall plane of insect glides by in stride

Soiled fingers push gravel redButter tears melt in summerUrban scandalous heart beats near

The rain, this riverJumping in seven fits of finger tipsTapping lightly with small quiversIs feasting on deep breaths

These kneesThis folded pretzelSirens sound round in inner ear

She, still callingWhile milk waits on wooden tableWith chocolate terrace gooey brownAnd clean piles folded nicelyResting on soft pillowsHolding long shadows by handMaking sure they slip west in comfort

Teeth pearls drop coolly in shimmering watersThey hide in crinkles of tar pools willed flatThe river of nose keeps flowingAnd damn this broken breath

There is honesty here It’s in the spaces

Behind facesBlowing willows in pastures of weeping combs

And the fire I felt somehow gonePerhaps knocked entirely from meFor this price I welcomeMortal stretch pointsNever go

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The sigh of misery Only peeks twicelyAir from open windows

These feet of ice will not warm!

Yet wrapped at far endTucked like mummiesIgnorant dummiesChilled not once, but twice

On the ceiling Ribbed rays glide from wall to wallWhile peaked eyes Roll on top of racing gray

Poor reckless mind

The spiral of checklistsDay shots replayedTomorrows never madeWishes for wishes’ sake

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Her eyes like liliesSeas at open dawnAnd the dream of autumn twinkling wisely

Rest assured of travelPeace in warm waters

This raftBuilt of forearmsWith hands holding back rivers in gentle caress

A lulling song

I see the breath of sun comingPiercing cerulean blue with clever winksWhile far on wet sunriseThe bubbling of leafy groundAppears further than hopeful

Your smileYour nose crinkleYour ready twinkle

Restless I paddleInto mouth of your land

And the cool rinse of winter air breezes

It moves me closer Pressing softlyThe small of my back

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Giant swells of silver gongRipples long in a ring of darknessMy mind watchesAnd sees the tide of soundEnveloping all that space

A deity of gold emerges from lightGrounded I feel as I watch from a distanceFor I know it is sacredSafe

The church bells of solitude continue to ringAnd these waves of sound crash on the shores of lifeWashing away blacknessExposing colors sea blue and sandy brownWith birds cawing Wind breezing Sun painting Shadows falling

I watch and feel connectedAs Earth gongs keep bellingLife keeps crashing Connected I feel even though I touch nothing

Then I grow conscious of muscles creasing Spirit liftingPain subsidingAnd life lets way to be life

Silver bells ring onDing-dong big gongDing-dong

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The sleek egrets of my inner soul fly unwinded from gray dawnNarrow confident strides are the pace of new missionFeathers wrap and rippleThe delicate pelt of neck furAnd cool wind smoothes over lidless eyes

Below, a lifetime belowSymmetric shapes of structured faces hideAnd man the foolish, buzzy with buzzy tasks for nothingDistracted in green fields of rolling hillsOf brown horizonOf blossoming sunriseOf stillborn freshness of air

The space between us is nothing And distance only willBut flock of unmistakable grounding Spans wings of new loveAnd zooms beyond the roundCircling heavensFrolicking with sunWith lidless eyesDetermined

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Do you ever listen to your mind operaOr does it play empty To a sea of mute dreamers

On the horizonA slew of conch shells burns on thin wiresBlowing panic loudly over gray cities And pink prettiesShattering pearly smiles And lipstick liesWhile suits march dizzy To the clackering of wooden soles

Let it lull you Or let it dull youElaborate illusion Life!

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The temptress slithersWithin the valleys of my toesWhile I sniff white cotton candyThrough the passages of my nose A regal figure she isQuite impressive really Only now can I understand her blissAs I lie nakedAnd sniff, sniff, sniff

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Rides on river boatsDelicate jewelsAnd these watersThimble cups of rainTheir ripples dull greenSplashing wood in earnest

A carpet of sand trails us moistDeep brown its tongue in waterA peace shake with dusty

The sun orange burningThe sky too big to notice

This river fairy Beating rhythmic distance past

This vessel With its chin rest in winter

Wiggle little big shriggles

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Out on the cornerBubble gum chokes under passing feetThe dank of winter seeps

Out on the corner Traffic burns racing rubberTiny angry passengers ATM travelers All leaving receipts

On the corner Pigeons hop too fat to flyO the dirge of North Beach at morningThe calculated throng of white collar Competes down Columbus AvenueLeaping early into trafficInvincible by will alone

Out on the corner A priest sings a thousand soliloquiesA child stops to look at meAnd morning bubbles looselyIn a greasy pot of dreams

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My stomach explodes with a river of sun prancesShe, dancing lightlyIs tiptoeing with silent eyesAnd pulled tight lips

This orangeSo jealous of my fleshSneaking through poresI resist with pools of awakening

This heatElated by sunIs spinning rubber chickens And hamstersTongues

I hear the creaking of summer swings patientThe little sticky fingers of your smile

Remember in August? It rained onceThe sky with wide blue dreams stolen from whiteAnd the warm breath of street life Sweating over the open shoulders of new love

Your hair, moping and tangledYour face, streaked with the sheen of dancing crow’s feet

Heaven help these foolish hands!Damn these sharpened claws of uneven touchRavishing roses and delicate whispersNow weeping without will

Then the willows enter with new songWelcome to powder keg of man

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The sky opened and dumped sheets of turquoise glitterThe sand where my feet sankMoaned with the presence of alabaster toes

On the horizonA giant seahorse dangled from a hangman’s noose

These silver-tongued witches that surround me Are drunk on sour grape mash

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I made pillowless love to a reptile with blue eyesUnder the soured moon of TaurusAnd above all this, Jupiter and Venus lapped in our young poolsWith entertained lines of life so familiar

And the sparkleAnd the innocence of droolSoft to the touchOnly when cool

And the rising of her chest as ribs steel widerI look down to Mother EarthAnd soil, and limbs, and dirtHoping my mind drip fertile words of distant timeOf winter nightOf solemnWrestlingDelight

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I’m letting my mind leak all over your eyesHow does it feel?

What if I am irresponsible with my thoughtsAccording to your assessment

Should I be held in judgment?Should I be praised for courage?Or should my words just wash through like delicate whispersThen gone

This liabilityThe ability to thinkHas painted gray over rainwater sunsetsHas built a collection of lies Left to perpetuateThat continues to perpetuateIs in a high timeBathing in greenAnd somedayGone

But for now some can seeAnd we may choose to beOr not to be Or join Or test Or play Or rape Or win

Different footstones open for dancing

My cold feet exposedHave sprinkled chips of earth as stainThey leap forward from behind long linesHumming hymns all learned and heavenly As we are taught to think

But I have seen granite smiling to my leftAnd before I go I must at least show youThis branch of new lifeThat weights my first step

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Life is a puzzleAnd introspection is the feverish hand matching piecesConnecting riddlesBuilding straight lines at distant edges

So what is this picture that dilates from blurMirrors of safetyOnly broken when new pieces snap into place

Is it an even pane of silverOr a window clear thru

Is it the final breath of calmnessYour accidental smileSimple words in dark hoursA tidal wave of blue

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I felt the heat of God press down on meAnd his finger pushing weight against my arched spine

Arrows flung forward in waves from quiverMy broken smile reading only in exhaust

I am an instrument they tell meI’ve been played hard and longPut away wet againMy eyes doze soft

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An eagle with candy-striped talonsStands perched upon blond pillows of furThe glow above and behind its face Half faded, half stark

A little box of cottage looks like preySorted crooked with broken legIt sends radar to high blowing heavens

Blue washNo words but whisper of wind

Uphill a trail dribbles easy with sandIt wears dimples of old laughsNow cold with morningThe split toe of predator loomingThe sadness of timeThe soft whistle of oceanCalm in winter stillness

There is danger hereBut in the kindest way

I watch in euphoric melancholyHumming sonnets through tearsWhile chapped skin stingsOpening half eye from trance

This hopeless potbelly of rhythmWould tick no more if I could help itAnd I will itSqueezing the burning rimsOf lidless eyes

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There is no finer pleasure than listening to jazzWhile reveling in the true divinity of salt

Salty reverence Trumpets blazing through waves of wet percussionSpilling over my palette while I swallow another delicious cracker

A Saltine no less Followed by a troubled second and third and fourth And back on the oneRhythms of delicious musicThat tastes so savoryWith hot soup A sinful evening of food for the body and soul

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Bouncing on the ride crispThe trappings of the trapThe clap, brushes wipingWet streets at night

Red blinking in puddles coolTall girls with sleek legs pace and stareUp there! In the sky, we fly byOverlooking the striped streets Of the northeast end of townThis western interpretation of rats All packed up and angry in the blue sky

We can laugh now, for up here we see what we need to seeThe town of western dreamsHere, at the tail end of a long continental episode

Where are you witches of the westCome and see our satisfied smilesThe hard times are now overCan’t you see!

Look at the pigeonsEven they are too fat to flyAnd the children, they may look confusedBut what about the pink in their cheeksWhat about their rose noses and manicured nailsEven if beside tattoosYes, all is fine in San FranciscoThe winds tell me so

Drifting easy uphill, I look out into the east

Where broad strokes of moonlight peekBetween dark sills of our beloved bay-iron heap

Farewell illusionsI’ll see you on the shores of Alameda in the morningUntil then, we’ll keep this secretAired out on clotheslines for all to see

San Francisco, we’ll meet on the streets in the morrowFor black coffee and foot traffic to bootSleep well my Millennium ChildrenMillennium Children, good night!

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Saucer cups filled with unspoken whispersWarm coffee black with wet twinkle

The morningPleased that I have you

Waking fingersSlip and slither sleekRound the ring of my cup

I drop sugar cubes of longingInto the splashing wake of my beating heartAnd the paperboy’s weight Wakes me from dreaming

And I never wake

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She listens eagerlyA gay man pushes out thin chest I hear her secretly smiling with foreign tongue“Monstrous,” she exclaimsThe gay man still knowing only his fears

But she, still watery with glossy eyes in focusA delicate wisp teases the lisp of her teacupBusboy clears lonely table soldiers Lipstick rings wrapped round in divide

She agrees againThe man across I can’t rememberHe sits before her stillHis words bricks of boredom

I see her complain in secretWanting love too muchAccepting his sermonLearned from business school or overprotective father“Yeah, yeah, yes,” she doesn’t let air into lungs

I understand this desperationI wish I could slip freedom onto her Like an old warm coat

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Old warriors fall from dark closet stiffMother’s old coats and rain gearDoors swing open and light penetrates blank faces

I have squeezed life from myselfIn this lifetime, while I was awakeThe subtle strangle of slow disease waiting patientLet me believe today was FridayThat sun was kissing my human heart

But robbers have been stealing Swindling kindle and winePouring tiny drops of falsityUpon my desktop of wisdom

These shutters have been swinging open for yearsLetting wind and weather pass and wear down “Neglect,” she tells me in candlelight“That’s what’s going on here.”

And illusion control, with its headache droneWith fists for fingersAnd brick for tongueHas only choked me quicker

I sit now quietWith muscles tingling, in new life they thawAnd the chill of their sensitivity Almost as unbearable as before

Yet I wade into new rivers Crisp on early morning

My eyes drip from salvationNot tired for the first time in years

This breath of truth singing wildly through horse voiceIs echoing loudly, despite its timberYoung sister, see me as I gatherWorking kinks and slivers from spiritWatch and wait in comfortUntil my arms have strength to save you too

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ZZZZEEEERRRROOOOSSSS

Into the streets of AmericaI watch myself through tiny windowsSpilling coffeeTripping over toes

Into the streets of AmericaI wander in search of informationStories of myselfPictures of me

I go into the streets of America With wide eyes smilingWith no thoughtsWithout expectation

I think someday soon I might be living in the streets of AmericaHaving let go my stranglehold of fearOf control

I look for wisdom in the streets of AmericaIn the kind faces of ageless ageIn children’s banter, at tai chi in the parkFrom the observation deck of Coit towerIn the formation of black birds flying high aboveIn the scent of sea air loomingIn the pale shadows of North Beach at noon

I live for the streets of AmericaAs they live for meAnd I watch myself through tiny windowsSpilling coffeeTripping over toes

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TTTTHHHHEEEE T T T TAAAAKKKKEEEEOOOOFFFFFFFF

I sit here stillPolished in the sheen of white wealthLooking into the tattered walkways of smilesAnd stained T-shirts worn through

Jet on runwayWings strong but smallBelly full of rich foodAnd women blond with distractionWave me on, or goodbyeI cannot tell which way I’ll flyFrom here

My feet can breathe againThey wiggle in my shoes despite their age, or miles walkedThey used to carry me through moving ruins of misfortuneGhettos of spiritualityPlacid gardens of soft crime

And now, my outlook less dismalArms cocked and readyI have lived a thousand years of life for other peopleThis next act is dedicated to me

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GGGGOOOODDDD I I I ISSSS H H H HIIIIDDDDIIIINNNNGGGG

In the breath of Café Prague Strange crowds gatherCeremony of coffee

Gently we creep around our livesTrying not to break sweat

The radio whispers as coffee steamsWarming fingers bring smilesAnd comfortable seats ease further distraction

We contract and release as beingsWe are tides opening and closing at will of the moonOr our fearsOr dreams

The rest of this, this illusionCan be considered little more than an adventure A sweet game of hide-and-seekWith you looking for you

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RRRRIIIISSSSIIIINNNNGGGG

The heavy petting of close friends Flashes in recent memoryWe lifted levers of lightA celebration of battlefields long behind

Old scars are now healingSkin is pliableTogether we are screamingAnd for once not out of fear

No, today we look beneath and find no glass at footstepNo knifepoint of expectationNo handgun of empty lies

And she gave me a wink between words

We looked into pupils of truth on SundayThe gaze gave way to deep pools of reverberationHearts palpitating sent ripples of intuitive kissesValidating future seeds, sprinkling water and gingerCalling all cars, whistling in winter with wet lipsKissing freedom poles without jealous hearts

We receive communion on tongue tipsPanting naturally as if robes of fur concealed the burningAnd with wine we spray the faces of rule keepersSoiling clipboards and white collarsChecks and tiny boxes bleed downwardRunning black ink until sharp stacks of judgmentMelt into oneness

Today our meadows flower new grassAnd new crosses are never made

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MMMMEEEEDDDDIIIITTTTAAAATTTTIIIIOOOONNNN

Eyes roll backSwallowing tongueThe breath of dream blows warm

Silence in my mind’s eyeSeeing into eternityI see nothingAnd that is all

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I WI WI WI WIIIINNNN

Collecting trinketsFrom one shelf to anotherThe weight of owning Presses heavy

I police for removalOld wisdom now messAnd why the need for order in transportAll of this in transport

Moments of definition feel rightHopeless hands bathed one too many times

Sleep was once a havenA visit within marble pillars of dreamStretching pink taffy with twenty fingersThe taste of sweet salt never longThe teeth of bliss never dulled overThen slower, my heaven slipped away

I can see it in mirrorsThe years on my faceMy forehead growing tallerThese lines won’t erase

With wisdom comes sorrowAnd freeways of thoughtI can travel now furtherTo many places at once

The liquid silver of day pawns fallWith ticks and tocks

And those blocks keep fallingSofter I’m calling, I noticed this today

Standing hollow among my empire of plastic passengersSpitting ones and zeros into each other’s earsTouting higher intelligenceAs paper words watch and dust

And this mountain keeps on growing!

So I continue to fight and build neat stacksKeeping track of each pile as they growPolicing the tide of innocent wonderers set free into this worldMind or not

Every possession has its own pathAnd we complex humans think we’re so different

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GGGGLLLLIIIIMMMMPPPPSSSSEEEESSSS

Running, MondayThe hum dissipation whispers softlyThe rise of red hummingbirds on the inclineWet windows blur Moorish streets belowMorning light blurs bent dawning hueFingers near and in focusWatching flesh tones crisply in vision framing

I can let go only so far from this bodyThen rubber band snaps back I feel the lashStinging dullyThe nape of my neck

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I KI KI KI KNNNNOOOOWWWW

I watched a sparrow weepIn the lonely fog of dawnIts wings blew unfolded in soft lightThe scene blurred for a momentThen opened to a darker dream

Whitewashed fence postsNailed with rusty staplesActing as gablesFor barbwire

In the distance a farm is waking for new dayMy frustrations still spilling from penAs Eggos pop from mother’s love and care

I wonder what chill has kept me from warmThese ageless bones will turn to ash one dayWithout pink flesh to comfortThe season between left only to me

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The streets of night are quiet in some townsSome rest well with tired heads and cat out creepingLong fences sit patient in dark hoursKnowing that morning will bring new light

And the decisions we make stay with us

Some ride high with twelve fingersSnorting rows of dislocationBreaking up closed doorwaysTrying to make it all feel right

Rats race down those fences They, crooked and wornSharing small yards And broken from who knows what

Cement does not discriminateFor brains or beautyIt lives cold and stableTo stop falling dreams still

And we ride out our dramasCasting actors and setsWith many regretsFor the patience we have not

Most just want to rest tired headsTo lie on soft bedsAnd smile for once without fear

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CCCCOOOOMMMMEEEE P P P PLLLLAAAAYYYY

Wrap round little finger birdsStretch your tongues until buzzy with the sweet diz of starry headsI enjoy your lighthearted play in times like theseThis rocking world tipping this way and thatSo nice to see the sea breezeDoes nothing to the grain of your wingsThey, gently flapping and gliding in play

Come chase my warn nub tipsFollow them for freedom to do soAnd I will laugh in dreaming as I enjoy your sweet presence Crying into footprints Of shoeless sunk sand

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OOOOLLLLDDDD L L L LOOOOVVVVEEEERRRR

Wind crickets call to my windowAs I lie naked in thoughtThe delicate masturbation of silence teases The soft tongue of cool breezes

Sweet alone, we fare so well togetherSide by side, just you and IAnd all this quiet magicLeft alone to make love to nightingalesAnd rusty nailsOr cocaine railsOr not

Sweet alone, in your arms I breathe easyYou make simple the outside terrorLet me sip life breath soft within your wombTo repair this flesh for one more race my darlingFor tomorrow’s war may mean the tumbling of fourteen horsesChop, chop, chopping at fleshWith words, wisdom or viceAnd as I trail between tens of livesAnd listen to the operas they singI take with me wounds and regrets I may never knowOr maybe have known

O sweet aloneRun your fingers through my hair tonightYou know I like it soFor now I’m tired and ready to dream in warm colorsRouge, green, and gold

Let the gremlins of night toss salad bowls over skulls

And let them creep needy in search of their own soulsLet them goLet them go aloneTheir own aloneTurn off the phoneLet’s go to bed

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GGGGRRRREEEEEEEENNNN

Dripping dreams sometimes end in surpriseThey slip through tiny fingers onto supermarket floorsOr cracked pavement

The ice cream of expectation sits there and melts slowly to mockAnd tears well up from excitement lostThe contrast seems so dismal

And in that silence Between attachment and lossThe wisdom of ages winks coldlyLetting you know, there is always a cost

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NNNNOOOOTTTT W W W WIIIILLLLLLLL A A A ALLLLOOOONNNNEEEE

If it were as simple as this penSpending time here then there by whim of passing handsNeeded, so has risen to the challenge of at least showingSometimes delivering successful ribbons of dark linesSometimes stuttering under fire

And in the end it makes no differenceFor use got used or notAnd shadows grow longPens find ways to new drawersBehind doorsIn back of dark floorsAnd lack of mind made little difference

Tonight I will take care with this penClose it softly and tuck it in tightBut tomorrow it will find its way to new floorsBehind locked doorsAnd on it will live its perfect life

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KKKKAAAANNNNSSSSAAAASSSS A A A AVVVVEEEENNNNUUUUEEEE P P P PEEEENNNN

Poems from the insideMessages passed between iron railsSober whiskers crackle against institutional cottonAnd all colors are grayFrom inside of here

Forlorn memories of freedom walks haunt meDisturbed teen angelsWhisper sweet-toothed confessionsTo liars and thieves

“So,” they tell me, “innovation is the plague of rotting minds.”But certainly, they taste the scent of salt blowingThey see orange groves breaking quickly Through white-knuckled fingers

These pages, memories and passing thoughtsAre folded and tucked quiet Within stiff shirts to breatheThere they wait patientAnd are reread once for certainTo make sure we are still with usTo make sure this is no dream

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SSSSPPPPOOOONNNNGGGGYYYY T T T TIIIIDDDDEEEE

The delicate lips of candlewicksCrooning in the moonlight Falls dim

Sweet aura of musty skyIn my eyeThe dream wanders

Rising swiftlyCasting nets over actionAttachments! Again I catch youDawdling through old reservoirsSpitting on asphalt of true desiresCrossing wires, sp r e a d i ng legsPulling leashes and choke chains

Drown if I can’t be with youAnd take stiff muscles aloneDelusions will not act as bars this timeTake them with you!These tiny bubbles of pale’s last breath

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MMMMYYYY T T T TEEEEAAAACCCCHHHHEEEERRRR

She just jumps in!And I creep in easy with dangled toe

She just jumps right in!And don’t I feel stupid

I watch her rise with wide eyesRushing with reward for braveryWhile I climb in carefully fighting each inchSo that I won’t flinchAnd find prediction positive

But her kind face watches meWith body awkwardly fallingCowardly stallingSensations to come…

I am glad that she loves meFor I feel it in her patienceBecause it helps me rememberBefore I am readyTo just let goLet go

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DDDDAAAAYYYYDDDDRRRREEEEAAAAMMMMEEEERRRR

Little lover with trusting eyesYour child smiles wide

I remember your gaze in cool waterUs both naked in natureBlushing in daylightTouching carefullyFingers of a gentle peace

We bathed each other in shiversAnd oh how our toes froze

I remember your eyesHow they looked into mineAnd told me secrets I will forever know

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My head under waterWaves crash downI twist in the fury for some timeThen rise for a momentTo breathe more air

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CCCCAAAAUUUUGGGGHHHHTTTT

Time, how do we measureSpace, different in dreamsHope, tearing in eyes of children

A rhythm dropsLeaving room for breath

In a parallel land I am freePeople aren’t trapped in little screensLovers aren’t tied to different dreamsOur effervescent hopesNot calling to usIn distant scenes

We all struggle to communicate

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IIIINNNNDDDDEEEENNNNTTTTUUUURRRREEEEDDDD S S S SPPPPIIIIRRRRIIIITTTT

Drench my spirit in waterA cool glass by nightstandSuspend it there for restUntil morning brings new breath

I long for peace of dreamingFloating easy in midnight liquidStanding tall beside alarm clock waitingWatching easy as seconds tock

There is no rush for daybreakFor morning will break as sure as I am meThen pull me from my cleaningTo chase another day, a different wayUntil I’m soiled with being

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CCCCLLLLEEEEAAAANNNN H H H HOOOORRRRIIIIZZZZOOOONNNN

Ocean, color of mist. Tearing dream. Dreaming dream.We rode rivers of shade that summer. The water, twice as thin as air. The look on your face, unforgettable. I held your spirit within the tarot of mind. The picture perfect, unforgettable.

Today I lay in the shade. I watched the sun drip easy over the purple tearline of Chicago. That huge Midwestern dome so perfect. I crafted a double helix of song, the birds joined me loosely in summer. We rode the wind of memory. Green. Magic.

And still I see your face there. The place where warm waits. The glisten of those moments resonates like the swell of new love. I will sing for you. I will sing on days long. The sun beaming, hope bleeding. That perfect summer. Remember me.

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Also by Dan Burke

PrintDriving into the Sun

SoundThe Bletchley Park Project: The Bletchley Park Project

The Bletchley Park Project: Mirror Root