1.

my son is reading “Howl”

with four eyes

two are tinted dark-colored

two are frozen below the shutter.

2.

people are walking

the sidewalks prepared for them.

3.

I know the stars are behind the Sun.

4.

I’m impatient.

I want the drawing to be done

before I start to mark the page.

this got me into trouble in New Bedford.

5.

New Bedford, an old salt, went down

to the sea in ships of wood.

6.

this to make oil.

to make perfumes.

to grease industry.

these things from blubber.

7.

my heart aches at the closing door.

my fear is being among the same sort of souls;

blanched grey. all of the same mind.

suffering the same way without name tags.

8.

they call this Heaven,

once the back bench-seats 

of limitless two-door sedans.

9.

my son is done with Carl Solomon

and has moved into the Footnote.