ÿþ<html> <head> <meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"> <meta name="revisit-after" content="7days"> <meta name="robots" content="index, follow"> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <TITLE>ArtTechnology.com art gallery of original expressionistic art. Accessable. Affordable. Functional. Abstract Expressionism. Literary Works. Information on instruction in Da Liu's Tai Chi in Fredericksburg, VA. </TITLE> <meta name="description" content="ArtTechnology.com seeks to raise epiphanies in our personal and communal growth through accessible and functional expressionistic artwork and abstract expressionism in the form of apparel, posters, prints and books. Information on Da Liu's Yang Style Tai Chi Instruction in Fredericksburg VA is available."> <meta name="keywords" content="abstract expressionism, art, prints, expressionistic art, gallery, Expressive Art, Abstract Art, posters, Poetry, Prose, Writing, Fiction, Essays, Books, clothing, apparel, sale, original, gifts, Tai Chi, Tai Chi Chuan, T'ai Chi Ch'uan, Da Liu, Instruction, Fredericksburg VA, Virginia, Spotsylvania"> </head> <BODY LINK="#0000ff" VLINK="#800080" background="../images/backgrnd.gif"> <p ALIGN="center"><b><a HREF="../writings.htm" target="_top"><font FACE="Comic Sans MS" SIZE="2">ArtTechnology.com, a Gallery of Original Expressionistic Art, Poetry, and Prose</font></a></b></p> <p ALIGN="center"><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/arttechnology.14118195" target="_blank">Click here to buy a book in print.</a></p> <div align="center"> <blockquote> <blockquote> <div align="center"> <table border="0" width="75%"> <tr> <td width="100%"> <p align="center"><b>- 6 -</b></p> <p align="center"><font SIZE="4"><b><i>Go to Page <a href="charlespoetry1.htm"> 1</a>, <a href="charlespoetry2.htm">2</a>, <a href="charlespoetry3.htm">3</a>, <a href="charlespoetry4.htm">4</a>, <a href="charlespoetry5.htm">5</a></i></b> </font></p> <hr> <h3 align="left">Man is Not Just Another Small Step in the Evolution of Machines </h3> <h4 align="center">ON THE ROAD<br> IN FLORIDA</h4> <p>THE WINTER OF  73 WAS A  65 POLITICO<br> BEER, BUTT BURN, VANDAL SCOFFER CHEVY WAGON<br> AWAY FROM HER (A GIFT BY DEFAULT)<br> FOR FLORIDA (ANYWHERE SOUTH AND<br> WARM).<br> YOU LIVED WITH EIGHT CONSTRUCTION WORKERS<br> AND FIVE DISSOLUTE DOGS IN THE WOODS. YOU,<br> THE CONSTRUCTION WORKERS AND DOGS, GUZZLED<br> BEER OUT OF AN OLD SWEATY BOOT, AND SPIT ON<br> EACH OTHER IN THE BEST OF BARS. YOUR EXCUR-<br> SIONS CLAIMED THE WORLD. YOU CUT YOUR<br> LAUGHING WAY THROUGH SAW GRASS IN THE<br> AMAZON. YOU WERE ROBBED BY BANDITOS IN<br> MEXICO. YOU SLEPT ON A RUG, IN THE HALL,<br> AND ON A POOL TABLE. LIFE IS SALVAGED LIKE<br> AN OLD CAR. BY REJECTING MONEY, POWER, AND<br> FAME, WE INHERIT ESSENCE. ALL THINGS POINT<br> TO THE GLORY OF GOD.<br> WE EAT STEAKS WITH OUR BARE HANDS. WE RE<br> HUMAN. THE PRESIDENT SHOULD TAKE HIS HAT<br> OFF TO US. WHAT IS HE WAITING FOR?</p> <p>YOU FALL ASLEEP UNDER HIS TRUCK, YOUR<br> FEET PROTRUDING. HE DRAGS YOU OUT, DROPS<br> YOU THREE TIMES, AND GETS YOU INTO THE CAB<br> UPSIDE DOWN.<br>  THERE S A TYPHOID EPIDEMIC IN A LABOR<br> CAMP.  MANY TIMES OVER THE RADIO. YOU D<br> LIKE TO HELP, BUT YOU CAN T. NO MONEY AND<br> A MINIMUM WAGE JOB. THE WORLD IS NOT IN<br> OUR HANDS. REMEMBERING THE LESS FORTUNATE,<br> I SAY A PRAYER, AND MEDITATE ON THE<br> WONDER, SUFFERING, AND DEATH.</p> <p>CAN T ASK A PROPHET ANYTHING! FIVE BASS<br> COOKING WITH GRITS. YOU CAN DO ANYTHING ON<br> DU VAL ST. IN THE KEYS THEY PLAY MUSIC ON<br> THE DOCK TILL THE SUN GOES DOWN. FOR EXCEP-<br> TIONAL SUNSETS THEY STAND AND CLAP.<br> TIME TO SIT ON THE PORCH, TALK OF JAIL.<br> LONGHORN, BLACK ANGUS, BRAHMA BULL. ALLI-<br> GATORS. CEDAR CABIN BY A LAKE. TREES ALL<br> AROUND HANGING SPANISH MOSS. YOU CAN T ASK<br> A PROPHET A THING.</p> <p>YESTERDAY, HE SAID THE WORD FOR THE DAY<br> WAS MODERATION. AT NIGHT HE IS DOING SHOTS<br> OF CALVERTS FOR THIRTY-FIVE CENTS A SHOT AT<br> THE SAN ANN BAR. AYE!</p> <p>CANALS ARE DRAINING THE GLADES. FIRES<br> BURN THE REMAINS. WHEN YOU ONLY HAVE<br> $1.19, MONEY IS NO OBJECT. A SAD FACED<br> RAGGED BUM ON 1ST CLASS AIRLINE. HE SEARCHES<br> FOR BUTTS, AND COOKS A CAN OF BEANS ON A<br> STERNO STOVE. THE GAS IS OUTRAGEOUS. HE<br> CLEARS A WIDE PATH OF RESPECT.</p> <p>YOU ARE WORKING ON THE INTERSTATE AT<br> $2.25 AN HOUR. NO INSURANCE. NO BRAKES IN<br> YOUR TRUCK. YOUR HELPER SPENDS HIS TIME AT<br> WAR WITH THE ANTS. WE STOP AT ALL<br> ANTHILLS. HE SAYS WE ARE LOST. WE CAN T<br> DROWN, POISON, OR SMASH THEM. YOU CLAIM<br> ROACHES WILL OUT-SURVIVE THE ANTS, AS<br> ROACHES CAN SURVIVE ATOMIC WARFARE. THIS<br> ALL SEEMS TO MAKE SENSE. IS THIS LOGIC?</p> <p>RAIN AND ORANGE BLOSSOMS. PICKUP<br> TRUCKS. PALMS.<br> HE WORKS IN THE ORANGE PACKING PLANT<br> TO SCRATCH A LIVING.</p> <p>YOU TALK OF SPIRITUAL HIGHS TO LUMP<br> LUMP.</p> <p> I STINK THEREFORE I AM :<br> HE WAS ALSO IN A BAR SOCIAL THINKING:<br> HOW CAN I GET A GLASSFUL?  HEY, GIVE ME<br> A BEER! EQUAL DISTRIBUTION IS HERE! </p> <p>OLD ERRORS ARE SERVED LIKE CLEVER LEFTOVERS<br> DISGUISED SUCH AS DECONSTRUCTION AIRS.<br> IT S NOT JUST A SYMBOL OR AN ACTION.<br> IT S NOT A CHOICE ALONE OR A FACTION,<br> BUT A CHILD, WHO CAN SHOUT  I AM! <br> WHO IS TO DECIDE WE ARE NOT HUMAN?<br> WHO IS TO DECIDE THE RIGHT TO LIFE?<br> WHO SHOULD WIELD THE GRISLY KNIFE?<br> WHAT WAS INALIENABLE IN THE PAST?<br> HAS HITLER WON AT LAST?</p> <p>HE IS ON A STREET CORNER AND A<br> PURPOSEFUL LIFE HITS HIM IN HIS GENITALS.<br> HE IS SHOVELING A TRUCKLOAD OF COINS<br> INTO A TOLLBOOTH. THE GREEN LIGHT FLASHES<br> MORE AND MORE, AND HE IS FRANTIC.<br>  WILL I EVER CATCH UP? <br> HE WANTS HIS WEEDER AND REINFORCEMENT<br> THAT BELONG TO THE WORLD OF PETS, GEOMETRY<br> AND SIMPLE-MINDED, ONE FACETED<br> CONCLUSIONS.</p> <p>TEN HIGH WHISKEY IS STILL ON THE SAME<br> SHELF AT RALPH S. YOU USED TO DRINK TO<br> KEEP AWAKE AT NIGHT AND READ. RALPH IS<br> STILL MAD AT HIS BROTHER AFTER TWENTY<br> YEARS. HE CAN T REMEMBER WHY.<br> THE SEGREGATED AMERICANS ARE CAPTURED ON THE<br> BALCONY OF AN AMERICA IN AMERICA<br> AT THE POSTAGE STAMP SCREEN THEATRE. FIFTY<br> CENTS FOR THE WEDNESDAY MATINEE.<br> TODAY HAS ALWAYS BEEN THE DAY FOR YOU<br> THAT WE ARE ALL RECOGNIZED AS BROTHERS<br> AND WE RECOGNIZE OURSELVES AS BROTHERS.<br> DISNEY S IS ATTRACTING MILLIONS.<br> THERE IS SOMETHING IMPERSONAL ABOUT THIS,<br> AND HOW CAN YOU BE A BROTHER IF THE<br> RELATIONSHIP IS IMPERSONAL? MOTHER<br> THERESA HAD IT RIGHT. GOVERNMENTS<br> AND WAR AND PRIDE AND ENVY AND GREED<br> ARE THE CAUSE OF HUNGER AND STRIFE.<br> THEY SAY IT IS TOO MANY PEOPLE.<br> IN OTHER WORDS, YOU ARE NOTHING TO<br> THE PRIDE OF SUCH GOVERNING AND THE MEDIA<br> THAT PROP THEM UP. SOME WANT TO CONTROL<br> AND HOLD YOU HOSTAGE. A BROTHER IS A PERSON.<br> YOU CAN T STAY.</p> <h4 align="center">WHISKEY, WOMEN, FRIENDS,<br> AND WACKY WINE</h4> <p>YOUR FRIEND IS BACK WITH A PICTURE OF<br> A NAKED LADY. WHO S TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF?<br> THE WOMAN OR THE VOID IN OUR LIVES? WE<br> HUG, DRINK A TOAST, AND SHOUT,  AYE! WE<br> LEAN OVER THE EDGE AND SHOUT THE LOUDER.<br> WE HEAR AN ECHO.</p> <p>DANCED AND YOU FEEL GREAT. MIGHT WANT HER<br> TO COME UP TO SEE YOUR POND, BUT TOO SHY OR<br> WISE. BETTER TO WAIT FOR SOMETHING SUBSTANTIAL.</p> <p>DEAD SLEEP. DRUNK LAST NIGHT (NOW,<br> FUTURE).<br> EVIDENCE: MORNING GROWLING; DISARRANGED<br> ROOM; CLOTHES LOOK AS IF THEY VE BEEN<br> ROLLED IN DIRT; BRUISED THIGH.</p> <p>HE SAYS YOU WOKE HIM UP YELLING,  SHUT UP<br> FROGS! AND HE SEES YOU WALKING FOR THE<br> POND.<br> JUST GETTING OUT OF THE HAMMOCK, HE SAYS<br> YOU KNOCKED HIM OUT AND PUT HIM THERE.<br> HE SAYS WE LIVE IN AN ELEGANT HOUSE.</p> <p>THE DISHES SMELLED BECAUSE WE DIDN T HAVE<br> ANY DISHWASHING LIQUID FOR ABOUT A MONTH.<br> THERE WAS MOLD AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SINK.<br> YOU HAD THE BLEACHING CLEANSER ALL READY,<br> BUT THE DISHES WERE IN THE WAY.<br> HE SAYS,  TELL ME IF THIS DOESN T REMIND<br> YOU OF BRITAIN IN 1941, POINTING TO THE<br> BEVY OF FLYING INSECTS IN THE KITCHEN.<br> ONCE THERE WAS A FIELD MOUSE IN THE SILVER-<br> WARE DRAWER, WHEN YOU WERE LIVING WITH HIM<br> AND THE SIXTEEN CASES OF BOOZE. THE MOUSE<br> USED TO WATCH YOU EAT FROM THE DRAWER.<br> ERIC THE RED CAME (COMES ALONG) AND THERE<br> ARE NO MORE MICE.</p> <p>HE COMES UP FROM JERSEY AND SAYS,<br>  THE PASSAIC RIVER HAS ENOUGH OIL ON IT TO<br> SOLVE THE FUEL SHORTAGE! <br> NEWSWEEK SHOWED A PICTURE OF NIXON S<br> NEW FIVE-THOUSAND DOLLAR BED. HE OF OUR YOU<br> COMMENTS:<br>  AND NIXON WOULDN T RAISE THE MINIMUM<br> WAGE FROM A DOLLAR-SIXTY TO TWO. IT WOULD<br> TAKE SOMEONE WITH THE MINIMUM WAGE TWO YEARS TO<br> MAKE THAT KIND OF MONEY!<br>  THE FIRST THING NIXON DOES WHEN HE GETS<br> INTO OFFICE IS TO RAISE HIS PAYCHECK FROM<br> FIFTY-THOU TO ONE-HUNDRED-THOU!<br>  NIXON IS DRINKING CHATEAU TWENTY-SEVEN,<br> AND I VE GOT WACKY SEVENTY-THREE. AND I M<br> PISSED! I KNOW IT S WRONG TO JUDGE AND TO BE<br> JEALOUS, BUT I M ONLY HUMAN. IT WASTES MY<br> ENERGY BETTER SPENT. IT IS BEST TO WISH<br> HIM THE BEST. </p> <p>DEAR LOVER,<br> THINGS HAVE BEEN PRETTY HECTIC OR I WOULD<br> HAVE WRITTEN SOONER. EVERYONE IS MOVING.<br> HE IS IN BOSTON WITH HIS WOMAN. HE IS<br> IN STAMFORD, AND HERE I AM WITH A MARTIAN<br> AND HIM. THE SUN IS UP. THE FAIR HAS<br> BEGUN, AND THERE S A SIX FOOT TALL HAND<br> WITH A HAMMER.<br> BEST WISHES</p> <p>MY DEAREST, PULSATING, RED BLOODED,<br> SEXUALLY DESIRABLE, GOD-LIKE<br> LOVER;<br> WHEN I FAILED TO SEE YOUR GORGEOUS BODY<br> ENTER THE COUNTRY CLUB S PORTALS THIS<br> EVENING MY HEART WAS PIERCED, MY HOPES WERE<br> DASHED TO THE GREASY RED CARPET, AND GOLDEN<br> TEARS STREAMED FROM THE LIMPID POOLS OF MY<br> EYES.<br> THOUGHTS OF YOUR LIFE-TORN BLUE JEANS AND<br> STRIFE-WORN FLANNEL SHIRTS FILTERED THROUGH<br> MY MIND AND I WAS SUDDENLY STRUCK WITH<br> GREAT INSIGHTS OF THE WONDERFUL THINGS YOU<br> AND I COULD DO TO ONE ANOTHER. WE COULD PLEASE<br> OURSELVES WITH NO CONCERN FOR ANYONE BUT ME.<br> AH, YOU! HOW I YEARN TO PLAY NIGHT-LONG<br> PINOCHLE GAMES WITH YOU. TO SAIL THE HIGH<br> SEAS AND MAKE LOVE WHILE THE SLAVES IN THE<br> GALLEY MOAN& IT WOULD BE BLISS, WITH YOU<br> IN YOUR NYLONS AND LEATHER!<br> TILL LATER,<br> SELF GRATIFYING LOVE</p> <p>ABOUT HER,<br> SHE WAS WITH SOMEONE ELSE (MAYBE A LOVE?<br> SHE WASN T SURE THE WAY HE ACTED AND<br> TREATED HER.). THEN SHE SAID SHE LOVED<br> YOU. THEN SHE SAID IT WAS AN INFATUATION;<br> SHE LOVED THE OTHER PERSON. THEN IT WAS<br> FRIENDS (SOMEWHAT LOVER; IT WAS HARD TO<br> TELL.). THEN IT WAS GOOD-BYE. THEN<br> HELLO. THEN IT WAS SHE LOVED YOU, BUT SHE<br> COULDN T BE YOUR WOMAN, AND SHE COULDN T<br> MAKE LOVE WITH YOU, AND YOU D SAY GOOD,<br> YOU D RESPECT HER, AND SHE D MAKE IT<br> WITH SOMEONE ELSE, AND SAY SHE HATED HIM.<br> THEN YOU WEREN T SUPPOSED TO BE JEALOUS,<br> BUT SHE WANTED YOU TO BE, SO YOU WERE, AND<br> SHE DIDN T LIKE IT, AND SO NOW SHE SAYS<br> THINGS TO HURT YOU AND THEN LAUGHS. SO YOU<br> DON T SEE HER. YOU LOVE HER. YOU LOVED<br> HER FOREVER. AT LEAST IT SEEMED THAT WAY.<br> THIS IS NO LOVE! WOULD SHE SUFFER AND<br> DIE FOR ME? WOULD SHE LET ME SUFFER<br> AND DIE FOR HER?</p> <p>I VE TRIED TO EXPAND MY LOVE, BUT I AM NO<br> MOTHER THERESA. THE SIMPLE LOVE I VE HAD<br> IS NO MORE THAN THAT EXHIBITED BY ANIMALS<br> IN A ZOO. NATURAL AND GOOD, BUT I CAN<br> DO BETTER. ALL I CAN SAY FOR MYSELF IS<br> I M HUMAN AND THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE IN WHAT<br> IS PERSONAL.</p> <p>THERE IS HOPE. YOUR FATHER SENDS YOU A<br> PICTURE OF THE LEANING TOWER CUT OUT TO BE<br> STRAIGHT UP AND DOWN.</p> <p>HONEST JACK IS A GURU ON A HIMALAYAN MOU-<br> TAIN TEACHING THE WAY OF THE USED CAR<br> CREAMPUFF. IT S ALL IN HOW YOU LOOK AT IT.</p> <p>A SUPPLEMENT, THAT MIGHT NOT OR SHOULD<br> NOT BECOME A SUPPLEMENT:<br> THIS IS THE PEN I FOUND ON BILL S FLOOR<br> WHILE LOOKING FOR MONEY. DOC ASKS ME IF<br> HE COULD BORROW IT SOMETIMES.<br> MEL AND MIKE WERE HERE, WE ALL GOT HIGH<br> DRINKING WACKY WINE. DOC SAYS THEY PUT IT<br> IN FANCY BOTTLES JUST TO FOOL YOU.<br> BUT MY QUESTION FOR THE NIGHT IS SHOULD A<br> GUIDING LIGHT HAVE A GUIDING LIGHT?</p> <p>GEN. EKALO<br> D.G.C.</p> <p>ROACHES AND A MAD CHEF FOR CLEANING OUT<br> ALL MARTIANS OF THE INTERLAB.</p> <h4 align="center">A NEW ERA</h4> <p>MOON, MAYBE FULL. SITTING BY THE FIRE IN<br> OUR NEW HOUSE IN THE COUNTRY, TALKING OF<br> SOUPY SAILS AND THE DEAD END KIDS. MR. X<br> WAS NIKYTA KRUSCHEV DRESSED UP AS A<br> GUERRILLA. SINATRA, WHAYNE& WITH PIE IN<br> FACE. THE DEAD END KIDS WITH A BUBBLE GUM<br> CAKE.<br> SNOWBOUND, ICEBOUND CONNECTICUT.<br> ANTARCTICA SNOW PALACE SIBERIAN<br> CONCENTRATION CAMP. ALL MY CHILDREN HAVE<br> DESERTED ME. JUST FAITHFUL SERVANT KENNY,<br> BUT I EVEN DO THE WORK FOR HIM.<br> CONVERSATION BY THE FIRE, SNOWBOUND KENNY<br> SAFETY PINS A WHALE TO DEATH. HE, OLD<br> SCHWEITZER, AND A LOVE HUNGRY WOMAN IN A<br> BATHTUB SARAGOSA SEA WAY. TWELVE CASES OF<br> SCOTCH AND BOURBON TO THE GOLD COAST! THE<br> MARTIAN, GEN. KENNY, AND YOU IN A CANOE NAB<br> A WHALE WITH YOUR SWISS ARMY KNIFE.<br> LIVING IN A FIG TREE IN TIBET. PILGRIMS<br> SCRAMBLE FOR THE PITS YOU SPIT INTO THEIR<br> MIDST. DOES POWER BECOME THE ESSENCE? IS<br> THIS CLERICALISM IN THE EAST?<br> KENNY SHOOTS THE ONLY SURVIVOR OF OUR MAD<br> SOUTH AMERICAN REVOLUTION. BY REJECTING<br> MADNESS WE FIND EVER-PRESENT MANIFESTATION.<br> AN OBJECT OR ACCIDENT WE ARE NOT. DOES<br> A LABEL EXPLAIN OUR EXISTENCE?<br> FEMINISM, CONSUMERISM, MATERIALISM, COMMUNISM,<br> IT S ALL THE SAME.</p> <p>WRITTEN ON THE PICTURE OF A NAKED LADY,</p> <p>WITH THOUGHTS OF CIGARS (KNAWED STUBS),<br> WOBBLY WHEELS, LOYAL ROACHES, WHISKEY<br> BOTTLES EMPTIED WITH GUSTO AND VICIOUS<br> GROWLS, SAILING THE SEAS, BOUTS WITH WHALES<br> AND ON LAND WITH WOLVES. POND, LAKE,<br> FARM. LAO TZU, HONEST JACK.<br> THE END OF ONE ERA AND THE BEGINNING OF<br> ANOTHER.<br>  IT S A CREAMPUFF. <br> TO DOC, WITH LOVE.<br> KENNY.</p> <p>PAGAN LETTERS OF LOVE FOR YOUR CHRISTMAS<br> IN VIRGINIA FROM HER, HALF BREED, THE<br> BLUES& STOPS ON THE WAY FOR KING OF<br> HIMSELF AND DRUNK ARREST BY HER.<br> DAD TOLD TALES. MOM WAS LOVABLE. WROTE<br> BROTHER WHO COULDN T COME HOME.<br> IN POGO PEOPLE WERE GLUM AFTER HAVING<br> LOST SO MUCH THIS YEAR. MOTHER WITH CORN<br> COB PIPE SAID:<br>  WE DIDN T LOSE SO MUCH& <br> WE JES GAVE IT BACK<br> AFTER BORROWIN IT FOR<br> AWHILE& <br> HE ALLUS SAID DON T<br> TAKE LIFE TOO SERIOUS& <br> IT AIN T NOHOW PERMANENT. </p> <p>DAYDREAM WALK. SUICIDE CITY<br> CLIFF-DWELLER SPLATTERING BLOOD ON RICH<br> ORNAMENTED WOMEN WHO SWEAR INSULTS ON THE<br> DYING MAN. SCAPE-GOAT RICH INSULATED WOMAN<br> TRICK. MAN DIED, NEVER CRIED. DUCK SOUP<br> PASSIBYE.</p> <p>SHOW THE PLANES TO THE MARTIAN AND WATCH<br> HIM THROW UP WITH FEAR.</p> <h4 align="center">PEOPLED</h4> <p>ALLEN:<br> FROM BPT. CONNECTICUT YMCA HE<br> GOES TO CANADIAN ROCKIES  <br>  AN INDIAN HELL! I M GONNA<br> MAKE LOVE TO A BEAR! </p> <p>MYSELF:<br> ROCKET PARACHUTE TOY<br> SPINNING IN A TREE LIMB.</p> <p>ROY:<br> STUBBY BEARD CIGAR HANDS.<br> GREY WOOLEN BUTTON SWEATERED PAUNCH.<br> TOY GLASSES AND WOOL EAR FLAP HAT.<br> USED RAGGED MAG COMIC PORNO THRILLER<br> JUNK PILE BOOK STORE.<br> TREASURE ISLE COMPANION.<br> THREE OLD TATTERED SAILSMEN BROWSING.<br> IS IT MOSTLY PORNO YOU HAVE?<br> MUFFLED CIGAR LOOK OVER YOU SHOULDER<br> ROY ANSWER:<br>  HAVE THEM TOO! ACCENT ON THE TOO.<br> STERN LOOK OVER YOU SHOULDER,<br>  $20,000. FIRST EDITIONS. VATICAN<br> HAS THE LARGEST COLLECTION. RUSSIA<br> SECOND. FRANCE THIRD. U.S. IS FOURTH.<br>  HAVE A WHOLE WAREHOUSE FULL.<br> SELL TO UNIVERSITIES. YALE HAS A GOOD<br> COLLECTION. $150 FOR FIRST EDITION<br> PLAYBOY&  WATCH OUT, HE LEADS THE<br> WAY TO THE VOID!</p> <p>ROBINE:<br> IN HER ROOM CRYING. SHOUTS AT<br> ME TO GET OUT, AND SAYS SHE S SORRY.</p> <p>OF MYSELF:<br> MAYOR S CIGAR COP CHAUFFEUR RIDE.<br> THE MAYOR S JUST FINE.<br> AN OLD WOMAN USE MY PHONE.</p> <p>TWO HEFTY GIVE A RIDE,<br>  OH SCREW HER! SHE WANTS<br> THE SAME THING! ALWAYS<br> PUTTING ON HER AIRS! <br>  TITILLATING PHONY! GIVE ME<br> AN ARAB COUNTRY WHERE MEN<br> ARE FREE FROM THIS PHONINESS,<br> AND WOMEN ARE FREE FROM THE<br> CONSTANT FEAR OF RAPE AND<br> EXPLOITATION OF BEER<br> ADVERTISEMENTS! WHY SHOULD<br> I HAVE TO DRINK THEIR BRAND<br> OF BEER TO ATTRACT A WOMAN? </p> <p>SITTING ON THE THIRD FLOOR,<br> STRANDED, WAITING FOR HIM TO COME.<br> MUSIC FROM THE SECOND FLOOR.</p> <p>IT S WARM IN THIS HALLWAY TO SLEEP.<br> CUSHIONED FLOOR JACKETS.<br> TWO BOXES OF APPLE JACKS FOR<br> BREAKFAST.<br> THOUGHTS OF THE MISSION, BUT NO<br> THANKS.</p> <p>AND OLD GREY HAIRED MAN IN A<br> DARK SUIT<br> ON THE STREET:<br> ZIGZAG SQUAT-LUNGE STAGGER<br> ACROSS<br> TO THE CHURCH,<br> WAIVING BACK TO DOUGIELLEO &amp; SONS<br> FUNERAL HOME,<br> AND AROUND THE CORNER.<br> RIGHT PINKY TIGHT EXTENSION.<br> THE RAIN AND A STANDARD COURSE.<br> BROKEN BOTTLED PARK AVE.</p> <p>AMIE:<br> A SMILE,<br> COLORED DREAMS,<br> BLOND HAIR.<br> THE SNOW KILLED THE FLOWERS,<br> AND I M UPSET.</p> <p>GEORGE:<br> DOG BLACKIE,<br>  GOOD DOG. BARKS<br> BUT DOESN T BITE.<br> ONE OF THE STUDENTS<br> LEFT HIM HERE AND<br> NOW I M STUCK WITH<br> HIM. BEEN WITH ME<br> A YEAR AND A HALF.<br> GOOD DOG. GOOD<br> WATCH DOG. WHERE<br> YOU FROM? ONE<br> ROOM LANDLORD.<br> HOT PLATE, REFRIGERATOR.<br> GOT OUT OF THE<br> SERVICE WITH<br> MALARIA AND SHELL<br> SHOCK. TALKS SOFTLY<br> WITH SHORT BREATHS.<br> NOW HAS HIGH BLOOD<br> PRESSURE AND HEART<br> CONDITION.</p> <p>MANUEL NEXT DOOR,<br> AN OLD WOMAN BELOW,</p> <p>A HUNGRY CAT CRYING IN THE ATTIC.<br> MANUEL WANTS TO MOVE;<br> NEEDS MONEY; CAN T FIND<br> A JOB. LIVES WITH THE<br> FAMILY OF HIS WOMAN.<br> TODAY THE FAMILY CHANGED<br> BRAKE SHOES AND DRANK WINE.<br> I TALKED TO MANUEL<br> RATHER THAN THE STUDENTS.<br> MANUEL ASKED ME WHAT<br> I THOUGHT OF MONEY<br> AND MOVING. HE WANTED<br> TO MAKE SURE I KNEW<br> HE WASN T MOVING TOO<br> FAR AWAY.<br> MY ROOM IS COLD,<br> CRACKS IN THE WALLS.<br> A SPOT ON THE CEILING<br> FROM THE RAIN, AND<br> THE LANDLORD WANTS<br> ME TO PAY A WEEK S<br> RENT I ALREADY PAID.<br> I CRUMPLED UP A WAD<br> OF PAPER AND HUNG<br> IT IN THE CENTER OF<br> THE ROOM. MOVING<br> MONDAY.<br> THE OLD WOMAN<br> HOLLERED I COULD PLAY<br> MY TRUMPET ANYTIME.<br> I THANKED HER. SHE<br> SAID IT DIDN T BOTHER.<br> SHE WAS NICE,<br> BUT SHE WOULD PUT UP<br> WITH NO HUNGRY CAT<br> IN THE ATTIC. IT<br> BROUGHT HER AWAY<br> FROM<br> THE TV. EUTHANASIA<br> IS HERE. THE<br> CAT ESCAPED.<br> JIM FROM<br> JAMAICA<br> LIVES ON THE<br> OTHER SIDE<br> OF THE KITCHEN.<br> HE<br> HAS ABOUT NINE<br> CHILDREN.<br> JIM CAME<br> TO SLUMMY<br> BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT<br> TO MEET NEW PEOPLE<br> AND LEARN NEW PLACES.<br> SOON HE WANTS TO RETURN<br> TO JAMAICA. IT S<br> TOO COLD UP HERE.<br> HE S HEAD DISHWASHER<br> AT THE HOLIDAY INN.<br> I LOVE THE WAY HE GIVES A<br> LACONIC:<br>  YEAH, YEAH, YEAH. <br> JIM CALLS HIS<br> WIFE<br> IN JAMAICA.<br> JIM HAS A<br> GOOD SMILE<br> AND HE LIKES<br> TO SCRUB THE FLOORS IN THE<br> MORNING.</p> <p>TIM AND THE WINTER<br> AND I ALONE,<br> BUT FOR THE FIELD<br> MOUSE.</p> <p>THE MOUSE WALKED<br> ABOUT THE HOUSE<br> AS WE DID, AND HE POOPED<br> IN THE SILVERWARE<br> DRAWER UNTIL<br> WE KNEW IT WAS HIS HOME,<br> AND WE REMOVED THE SILVERWARE.<br> HE D WATCH US EAT AT THE KITCHEN TABLE FROM<br> THE CRACK WE LEFT IN THE DRAWER. ONLY ONE<br> DAY HE CLIMBED INTO A BOTTLE<br> WITH SOME GRAIN IN THE BOTTOM<br> AND WE FOUND HIM DEAD;<br> HE COULDN T GET BACK OUT.</p> <p>ROBINE:<br> PINE CONE RUMBLE.<br> WE RE GOING TO HAVE TO<br> POPULATE THIS ROCK.<br> SHE D RATHER DO IT HERSELF.<br> SOMEONE WILL HAVE TO<br> SWIM OUT AND KILL<br> THOSE SEAGULLS.</p> <h4 align="center">SUMMER BUMS</h4> <p>COUSIN MARRIED COMES BY. YOU RE AT HOME<br> WITH MOM, DAD, AND KIDS FOR A VISIT. DAD:<br>  RADIO HELICOPTER FELL ON A HOUSE AND<br> KILLED A BOY& <br>  THIS ONE WON T LIVE LONG. OF COURSE<br> THERE S ALWAYS THE INTELLIGENT DOG THAT<br> LIVES FOREVER. WE VE HAD FOUR OR SO DOGS,<br> AND I DON T KNOW HOW MANY CATS. THEY ALL<br> END UP OUT THERE IN THE DITCH. CARS RUN<br> THEM OVER&  <br> KID:<br>  UGH! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE? <br> INTERMITTENTLY, DAD, MOM, AND YOU UP AND<br> MUMBLES SOMETHING AND WANDERS OFF. KIDS<br> DROPPING IN AND OUT.<br> COUSIN S HUSBAND AND YOU COULD RELATE<br> LEANING OVER THE EDGE OF A ROOF TO CUT THE<br> OVERLAPPING PLYWOOD.<br> REMEMBER BROTHER-IN-LAW IN KITCHEN.<br> DAD AND STORIES. OFFERING DRINKS. MOM<br> COOKING. THE KIDS JUMPING ROPE AND TUGGING<br> AT BROTHER-IN-LAW S PANTS. HE STARTED TO<br> CRY. MOM PATTED HIM OUTSIDE TILL HE CLEARED<br> HIS HEAD. GOOD OL BROTHER-IN-LAW.<br> COULDN T TAKE THE GENEROUS ACCEPTANCE OF<br> CHILDREN AND LIFE.</p> <p>BROTHER, FOREMAN AT ORANGE PACKING<br> PLANT. MARRIED. (EXPECTING! HAVE A<br> CIGAR.)</p> <p>A FOOLISH FOP TRIES TO BEAT YOU UP TO DEC-<br> ORATE HIS EGO AND YOU POKE HIM IN THE<br> EYES. WHAT CAN I SAY FOR MYSELF?</p> <p>SHE CULTIVATED HER UNHAPPINESS. SHE<br> SAID SHE HAD TOO MUCH TO DO TO BE HAPPY.<br> THAT WAS THE WAY HER LONG ISLANDER MOTHER<br> HAD BROUGHT HER UP AND THAT WAS GOOD ENOUGH<br> FOR HER. ONCE SHE SAID IN HER MUCH OF<br> IMPORTANCE TO SAY VOICE:<br>  YOU KNOW CHARLIE, I LL NEVER BE TOO<br> HAPPY AND THAT S WHY I M HAPPY. YOU SEE IF<br> YOU ARE HAPPY WITH YOURSELF, SOMETHING IS<br> WRONG WITH YOU, BECAUSE YOU DON T KNOW WHAT<br> IS WRONG AND<br> YOU CAN T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. IT S<br> MUCH BETTER TO BE UNHAPPY, BECAUSE THEN YOU<br> KNOW FOR CERTAIN WHAT S WRONG. </p> <p>WE WERE TALKING ABOUT SEX, WHEN SHE TOLD ME<br> SHE WASN T DECADENT, AND SHE SAW HOW LOOSE OTHER<br> PEOPLE WERE TODAY:<br>  THEY JUST DON T CARE ABOUT SEX, SHE<br> SAID DECISIVELY,  IT DOESN T MEAN A THING TO<br> THEM; EVERYONE RUNNING AROUND LOOSE! I VE<br> HAD SEX VERY FEW TIMES, AND MOST OF THOSE<br> FEW TIMES I DIDN T ENJOY IT. I VE WRITTEN<br> POEMS ON IT AND MY TEACHER LIKES THEM<br> BECAUSE THEY TELL SO MUCH ABOUT ME. SEX IS<br> SACRED. I WOULD NEVER DEGRADE IT. <br> ONE DAY SHORTLY AFTERWARDS I<br> HEARD ABOUT SEX BEING SUCH A STRONG PART OF<br> LIFE THAT IT COULDN T BE IGNORED. SHE HAD<br> A SEX PARTNER.</p> <p>HE SAID THE MAN COMMUTES ON HIS<br> ANTISEPTIC<br> TRAIN. HE LOOKS OVER MANHATTAN AS IF IT S<br> HIS OWN. RATS ARE BITING CHILDREN ON THE<br> EAR. SISTER INFERIOR WAS THE SERVANT OF<br> SERVANTS SAVING RUNAWAY CHILDREN FROM THE<br> SLAVERY OF PIMPS. SHE WAS MALIGNED IN THE<br> PRESS FOR THIS BECAUSE SHE CHOSE TO DO THIS<br> RATHER THAN PARADE SEX FOR MONEY IN THE MEDIA.<br> IT GOES AGAINST THE GRAIN<br> OF RELATIVISM. IF EVERYONE IS GOD, THEN<br> ONLY POWER AND SENSATION RULE. THE PIMPS<br> ARE IN FIRST PLACE. HOWEVER, THE FIRST ARE<br> LAST AND THE LAST ARE STILL THE FIRST.<br> GOD WILL JUDGE US BY WHAT IS IN OUR HEARTS.<br> ALL RELIGIONS POINT TO GOD AND THEY<br> WILL EVOLVE IN ONE COMMUNION WITH GOD<br> AT THE END OF TIME. THE NEW RELIGIONS:<br> TV, IMPERSONAL SEX, BUSINESS, THE NEW POPES<br> OF HOLLYWOOD AND THE ART SCENE WILL BE<br> SWEPT ASIDE. ALL RELIGIONS WILL<br> LIVE IN PEACE AND RECONCILIATION. WHAT IS<br> BASICALLY GOOD WILL SURVIVE. A LOT OF HARD<br> WORK LIES AHEAD.</p> <p>YOU SAY THEY HAVE FACTORIES AND<br> PLANNERS WITH MANY WAYS TO KILL YOU. CARS<br> ARE TRYING TO KILL YOU. THEY SPEED UP AT<br> THE INTERSECTION AS YOU TRY TO CROSS. MOST<br> LIKELY THEY ARE LAUGHING AS THEY GO BY. IT<br> WOULD ONLY MAKE SENSE. THEY HAVE A PICTURE<br> OF YOU AT THE FACTORY. IT WOULD ONLY MAKE<br> SENSE IF THEY WERE OUT TO KILL YOU TO KNOW<br> EXACTLY WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE.<br> YOU SMOKE THEIR CIGARETTE (IT S NOT YOUR<br> FAULT THEY RE TRYING TO KILL YOU. WHY<br> WOULD ANYONE WANT TO KILL YOU?). IT S THEM<br> ON THE PHONE TO CONFIRM THAT YOU SMOKED<br> THEIR CIGARETTE. YOU COULDN T HEAR THEIR<br> CONVERSATION, SO YOU LL NEVER KNOW FOR<br> CERTAIN. EVEN IF YOU ASK, THEY WOULD JUST<br> LIE TO HIDE THE DEATH CULTURE.<br> YOU KNOW THEY RE TRYING TO KILL YOU.<br> IT S BEEN TRIED AND TESTED. THEY RE NOT<br> ACCIDENTS. EVEN BEFORE YOU WERE BORN THEY<br> TRIED TO KILL YOU. THEY WANTED YOU DEAD IN<br> A WAR AND SOON THEY WILL WANT YOU DEAD WHEN<br> YOU ARE HANDICAPPED OR DEAD.<br> YOU CAN T EAT THE HEALTH FOOD. IT WON T<br> DO A THING TO SAVE YOU ULTIMATELY. INSTEAD,<br> YOU VE FALLEN IN LOVE WITH A WAITRESS. SHE<br> HARASSES THE CUSTOMERS, COMPLAINS ABOUT THE<br> TIPS, AND BARFS AT THE COOK. YOU TELL HER<br> YOU LOVE HER, AND SHE SAYS THAT DOESN T<br> HELP. WHAT CHARACTER!</p> <p>LOVE IS HELL. YOU EAT IN A RAT POISON<br> DINER.</p> <p>YOU RE ENCHANTED WITH THE BUG SMUDGE REST-<br> AURANT. IT S YOUR SCOUTING ASSIGNMENT FOR<br> THE DAY. THE CHEF IS MAD. HIS DEMON FLIES<br> ARE HIS INSPIRATION.<br> HE LIES WHEN HE SAYS THERE IS NO<br> COUNTRY SAUSAGE, ONLY ITALIAN. YOU TAKE THE<br> ITALIAN (NINETY PERCENT PEPPER, TWENTY PER<br> CENT METAL FILINGS AND GLUE), BUT YOU VE HAD<br> MILK OF MAGNESIA AND PEPTO BISMAL. YOU GLOWER<br> AT HIM IN DEFIANCE. HE WILL JOIN YOU IN FRAMING<br> THE ROACH EMPIRE.<br> THE CUSTOMER NEXT TO YOU THREATENS TO<br> MAKE THE SNIGGERING CHEF WEAR HIS CRAPPY<br> SMILE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF HIS FACE. THE<br> CUSTOMER DROPS DEAD IN AN INSTANT, AND YOU<br> WATCH AS HE IS GROUND INTO SEASONING POWDER<br> FOR THE ITALIAN SAUSAGE. THE CHEF CONFIDES<br> IN ME,  THEY ALL HAVE THE LOOK OF SUICIDE<br> IN THEM. THIS ONE PAID MORE, THAN THE<br> AVERAGE MAN MADE, ON HIS WHORE S TAXI FARE<br> ALONE. THEY RE ALL POOR AND THEY HATE<br> ME. HE LAUGHED CONFIDENTLY.</p> <h4 align="center">THE LIVING DEATH</h4> <p>THE OWNER IS TIRED. HE DID IT FOR THE LOVE<br> OF LOCAL COLOR. HE OWNS IT AND HE WORKS<br> IT. PEOPLE TELL HIM TO HANG ONTO IT. THE<br> GOVERNMENT AND OTHER LEECHES FLEA-BITE<br> HIM. THE FLEAS CARRY THE PLAGUE.<br> HE CARRIES A FLAG IN FRONT OF THE PLACE.<br> IT IS FOR SALE. EVERYTHING IS FOR SALE.<br> PEOPLE TELL HIM TO HANG ONTO IT. THEY<br> ARE SELFISH. HE IS TIRED. HE NEEDS THEM<br> TO SAY HE IS TIRED. A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE<br> TIRED. THE WORLD IS TIRED. IF HE OWNED<br> THE PLACE HE COULD LEAVE IT AND COME BACK<br> AND IT WOULD STILL BE THERE. PEOPLE COULD<br> SERVE THEMSELVES AND LEAVE THE MONEY IF IT<br> WAS HIS. HE IS TIRED. HE DOES<br> EVERYTHING. HE PRODS FOR CONVERSATION. HE<br> READS THE PAPER. HE PLAYS THE LOTTERY. HE<br> SERVES INSULTS. HE COOKS. IT S AWFUL. HE<br> LEAVES HIS OWN TIPS. HE TIRES EVERYONE WITH<br> HIS ASININE JOKES. NO ONE WANTS TO HEAR<br> ABOUT HIM WANTING TO SELL HIS PLACE. HIS<br> PLACE IS NOT FOR SALE THAT WAY. PEOPLE ARE<br> TIRED OF HEARING ABOUT IT. IT TIRES THEM.<br> THEY WOULD BE MAD BUT THEY ARE TIRED OF IT<br> ALL. HE IS TIRED AND HE KEEPS WINE IN THE<br> REFRIGERATOR. HE CALLS A CUSTOMER A<br> WINO. THE WINO ASKS FOR WATER. THEY<br> INSULT ONE ANOTHER. THEY ARE TIRED TO<br> DEATH. THE DAUGHTER OF THE OWNER IS THERE.<br> HE IS TIRED OF HIS DAUGHTER. HIS DAUGHTER<br> IS SLUTTY LOOKING. SHE HAS LOCAL COLOR TOO.<br> HE INSULTS HER. HE SMILES INGRATIATINGLY<br> AT ANY WOMAN WHO WALKS IN, BUT HE INSULTS<br> HER. THEY INSULT ONE ANOTHER. IT IS<br> AWFUL. THEY LOVE IT. HE IS SLUTTY TOO FOR<br> AN OLD MAN. HE LL LIVE THROUGH BAROQUE SLUT-<br> TINESS. THE PENSIONS ARE IN THE POCKETS<br> OF THE RICH& </p> <p>THE IDEA IS TO POSITIVELY REINFORCE THE<br> LANDLADY IN THE DIRECTION OF POSITIVE<br> REMARKS ABOUT THE PEOPLE (ALL PEOPLE) SHE<br> HARANGUES. SHE SAYS NASTY THINGS ABOUT<br> EVERYONE.<br> NO ONE IS AN EXCEPTION. THIS MAY BE THE<br> ONLY THING THAT STIMULATES HER TO KEEP<br> HER ALIVE. ONCE SHE WAS NOTED AS SAYING<br> SHE WISHED SHE WAS RICH SO SHE COULD BE<br> ROTTEN. SHE IS ROTTEN BUT WE WON T TELL<br> HER SO. THE IDEA IS TO BE POSITIVE. BEING<br> POSITIVE MAY KILL HER. BEING NEGATIVE<br> KEEPS HER GOING. SHE WILL TAKE OPPOSITION<br> TO ANYONE WHO INTERRUPTS HER HARANGUES.<br> SHE TAKES SUCH GREAT PLEASURE IN THIS THAT<br> SHE GIGGLES. WE ARE GOING TO BE POSITIVE<br> WITH HER BY INTERRUPTING HER TO SAY THE<br> PEOPLE SHE IS HARANGUING ALWAYS HAVE<br> NICE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT HER. IT IS IMPOLITE<br> TO INTERRUPT. IT WILL DRIVE HER INSANELY<br> MAD TO HEAR POSITIVE INTERRUPTIONS. BEING<br> MAD SHE WILL BE ENTIRELY HAPPY. SHE WAS<br> JUST IN YOUR ROOM FOR TEA. SHE TRAPPED<br> YOU. SHE WAS HARANGUING MICHELANGELO WITH<br> HIS SEX LIFE. YOU SAID MICHELANGELO<br> ALWAYS HAD NICE THINGS TO SAY ABOUT HER.<br> SHE WENT INSANELY MAD. IT WAS GOOD FOR<br> HER. SHE IS ALWAYS GOOD FOR HERSELF. SHE<br> BORES THE HELL OUT OF EVERYONE. THIS IS INTER-<br> ESTING. HER BORING IS INTERESTING. SHE<br> FEEDS OFF IT. SHE IS A WITCH. LIKE SOME-<br> ONE OUT OF ELIOT, SHE WAS INSANELY MAD<br> AND SAID SHE COULD LEAVE YOU KNOW IF YOU<br> WERE GOING TO DIG INTO HER ABOUT<br> MICHELANGELO. SHE STAYED FOREVER. YOU<br> KEPT LOOKING AT THE CLOCK, TRYING TO BE<br> POSITIVE ABOUT HER LEAVING. SHE STAYED<br> FOREVER. BEING POSITIVE CAN SUBTRACT FROM<br> THE PERSON BEING POSITIVE. IT CAN BE A<br> SUBTERFUGE.</p> <p>SINCE YOU SAID SOMETHING NICE TO HER ABOUT<br> MICHELANGELO, THE LANDLADY HAS BEEN<br> AVOIDING YOU. IT S LIKE SEX. THE MORE YOU<br> FRUSTRATE YOURSELF, THE MORE YOU ARE READY<br> TO EXPLODE. SHE IS READY TO EXPLODE. SHE<br> CAN T STAY AWAY MUCH LONGER. THIS SORT OF<br> THING HAS HAPPENED BEFORE. THE IDEA NOW IS<br> THE ULTIMATE BANG. IT WILL BE INTERESTING.<br> ONE OF HER SOREST POINTS IS, WHEN WE TAKE<br> HER OUT IN HER OLD CADI FOR A RIDE, WE  THE<br> BOARDERS TALK AMONG OURSELVES. THIS KEEPS<br> HER GOING FOR WEEKS. SHE IS UPSET. SHE IS<br> HAPPY FOR A FEW WEEKS COMPLAINING ABOUT<br> US TALKING AMONG OURSELVES. SHE PICTURES<br> HERSELF AS THE ONLY TRUE CENTER OF<br> ATTENTION. HER CENTER OF ATTENTION IS<br> BORING. IT IS EVEN BORING TO HER. THIS IS<br> WHAT WE  THE BOARDERS TALK OF AMONG OURSELVES.<br> NOW, WHEN SHE IS READY FOR THE ULTIMATE BANG,<br> WE WILL TELL HER THAT WHEN WE TALK<br> AMONG OURSELVES, IT IS ONLY TO SAY NICE<br> THINGS ABOUT HER THAT MIGHT EMBARRASS HER<br> DUE TO HER DELICATE NATURE. SHE IS BUILT<br> LIKE AN OX. HER NATURE IS LIKE THAT OF A<br> CANNIBAL. WE LOVE HER. WE WILL BE<br> POSITIVE WITH HER. IT WILL KILL HER.<br> WE LOVE HER. WE DON T EVEN PAY RENT.<br> SHE HAS A HEART OF GOLD. WE PAY ENOUGH.</p> <p>PEOPLE ARE INSANE. IT S UP TO YOU. YOU<br> CAN T DEPEND ON FATE. TODAY YOU BROUGHT THE<br> LANDLADY HER SUPPLIES. IT WAS POSITIVE.<br> IT WAS ORANGE JUICE AND MILK. IT WASN T<br> A SOCIALIZING TIME. TIME IS A<br> SECTIONED-OFF DISK CALLED FATE. THUS<br> THERE IS NO FATE. COSMIC ENERGY OR<br> THE MESSAGE IS ORANGE JUICE AND MILK.<br> THE LANDLADY FELL THE OTHER DAY. SHE<br> WOULDN T LET THE WOMAN BOARDER HELP HER<br> UP. SHE LIKES THE ATTENTION OF MEN.<br> SHE DISGUISES THIS WITH OTHER WORDS. SHE<br> COULDN T HAVE BEEN REALLY HURT BY THE<br> FALL. WHEN IT COMES TO DESPERATE<br> SITUATIONS, SHE IS SENSIBLE. IT WAS<br> POSITIVE THAT YOU YELLED AT HER. SHE WAS<br> SCARED THAT SHE MIGHT HAVE HURT HERSELF, BUT<br> YELLING AT HER BROUGHT HER PRIDE OUT. SHE<br> WAS O.K. OKAY. SHE WAS FINE. YOU ASKED<br> HER. YOU TOLD HER TO PUT HER SHOE ON.<br> SHE SAID SHE COULD DO IT HERSELF.<br> SHE GOT UP BY HERSELF. SHE SAID YOU<br> SHOULD NEVER GET MARRIED. YOU<br> SAID YOU NEVER REALLY INTENDED TO. SHE<br> MEANT NO ONE WOULD EVER BE ABLE TO<br> PUT UP WITH YOU. YOU TOLD HER EVERYONE<br> ALWAYS SAYS NICE THINGS ABOUT HER. SHE<br> MUMBLED SOMETHING GRUDGINGLY. IT WAS SOME-<br> THING SHE HAD TO SAY NICE ABOUT EVERYONE.</p> <p>I M GLAD SHE ISN T INGRATIATING. THAT PUTS<br> A BURDEN ON YOU. YOU WOULDN T ACCEPT<br> THAT. YOU DO EVERYTHING YOU CAN. YOUR<br> RIGHT TO CONTRADICT EVERYTHING YOU SAY<br> IS LIBERATING. WORDS ARE A FRAMEWORD.<br> THEY ARE MAGIC THAT WAY. THEY ARE LIKE THE<br> HORN YOU HAVE. ALL IT IS IS A HUNK<br> OF BENT UP METAL TUBING. IT S STYLE.<br> THE MEANING IS ORANGE JUICE AND MILK.</p> <p>YOUR LANDLADY HAS A PENCHANT FOR GOING<br> THROUGH THE MAIL. SHE KEEPS THE MAIL SHE<br> LIKES EVEN IF IT ISN T HERS. THE IDEA IS<br> TO BE POSITIVE. WE ARE LED TO THE ULTIMATE<br> COMMUNION IN WHICH WE ARE ONE. YOU ARE POSITIVE.<br> BANK STATEMENTS AND MAGAZINES TURN UP IN HER<br> QUARTERS. HER QUARTERS ARE LOCKED BUT<br> IT IS NO OBSTACLE AS YOU ARE POSITIVE. SHE<br> CATCHES YOU IN THERE AS SHE HAS RETURNED<br> UNEXPECTEDLY. SHE IS TAKEN ABACK.<br> YOU SAY EVERYONE SAYS NICE THINGS ABOUT<br> HER. SHE SAYS IN HER EXASPERATED BREATH<br> THAT IT ISN T FAIR. SHE POKES HER CANE<br> ON THE FLOOR TO ACCENT THIS. YOU LOVE HER.<br> YOU EXPLAIN THAT YOU JUST WANTED TO MAKE SURE<br> THE QUARTERS WEREN T AS BAD AS SOME PEOPLE HAD<br> SAID. THEY WERE AS BAD BUT YOU ARE<br> POSITIVE. IT REASSURES HER. SHE WANTS YOU<br> BACK. YOU HAVE TO LEAVE. THERE IS A WOMAN<br> COMING. THE LANDLADY HATES WOMEN. SHE<br> BARKS AT THEM. THIS IS PART OF BEING A<br> LADY.</p> <p>SHE IS SOMEWHAT LAME SO SHE CAN T RUN FAST<br> AND WOMEN CAN RUN PAST HER WHILE SHE BARKS<br> OUT FUNNY THINGS. THE LANDLADY HASN T<br> THROWN HER CANE AT ANYONE RUNNING BY, BUT<br> THE POSSIBILITY MUST BE TAKEN INTO<br> ACCOUNT. WOMEN ARE FOREWARNED.</p> <p>YOU GIVE HER BANANAS. IT MAKES<br> HER SMILE. TWICE YOU KISSED HER. IT IS<br> BEFUDDLING BUT AS CLOSE AS YOU CAN TELL SHE<br> ENJOYS IT.</p> <p>YOU NEEDED A BREAK.<br> SOMETIMES WE EVEN WONDER ABOUT THE<br> BARTENDER. THE BAR IS ABOUT FIFTY YEARS<br> OLD. EVERYONE HAS THIS WOOD PANELED ROOM.<br> KENNEDYS HANG FROM THE WALL. AN OLD BOTTLE<br> OF JAMESON IS GETTING OLDER BUT IT IS THERE.<br> CALVERTS IS THERE BY THE GALLON. SIXTY<br> CENTS A SHOT. THEY HUG TO KILL. THERE IS<br> THE TOKEN LOUD-MOUTH. EVERYONE TELLS HIM<br> TO SHUT UP. THERE ARE SICK TO FILL THE VACUUM.<br> EVERYONE TRIES TO PUSH ONE INTO A FIGHT.<br> THERE HAS NEVER BEEN<br> A FIGHT THERE AS FAR AS HE CAN RECOLLECT.<br> THE KING ON TV IS BENEVOLENT, BUT IT ALL<br> IS TAKEN OUT IN TAXES. LITTLE DO WE KNOW<br> WE PAY FOR THE BENEVOLENCE. THE BARTENDER<br> CARRIES A GUN. TWO MILLION PEOPLE IN NEW<br> YORK CARRY ILLEGAL GUNS. THERE ARE SHOOT<br> OUTS HERE AND THERE AROUND HERE. ONE BAR<br> IS ABSURD. OUR BAR IS AMIABLE AND<br> UNPRETENTIOUS. YOU BECOME THE POOL TABLE.<br> THE POOL TABLE IS SO WORN IT S THE URINE.<br> THE WOMAN IS THERE PULLING THE BACK OF HER<br> SHIRT UP. SHE WEARS YOUR PANTS BUT YOU<br> ARE A POOL TABLE. TV IS A POLICE SHOW.<br> EVERYONE IS THREATENING EVERYONE<br> CONVIVIALLY. THE BEAR IS A HUG. THE BEAR<br> IS A VAGRANT IS DRUNK. SOMEHOW THE VAGRANT<br> IS A CLARINET PLAYER.</p> <p>YOU PLAY THE TRUMPET, AND IF HE CAN JUST GET<br> BY THE LANDLADY WE CAN PLAY SOME TERRIBLE<br> MUSIC TOGETHER. WE CAN EVEN CARRY IT<br> AROUND. THE WOMEN LEAVE. NOTHING IS<br> SAID. WOMEN LOOK AND LEAVE. YOU LOOK AND<br> LEAVE. IT S SOMETHING DIFFERENT. EVERYONE<br> KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING. IT IS<br> IMPORTANT. IF THE LANDLADY WOULD JUST BE<br> O.K. SHE GOES THROUGH THE TRASH. IT S<br> SOMETHING ELSE TO HER. WE DON T<br> UNDERSTAND. WE HAVE TO KIDNAP<br> HER DOGS FOR A BATH OR IT WOULD TAKE<br> FOREVER OR IT JUST WOULDN T TAKE. THIS IS<br> ALL SUPERFLUOUS. PEOPLE ARE STARVING. THE<br> DOG NEEDED A BATH. YOU NEED THE WAITRESS.<br> SHE IS BRIGHT AND WONDERFUL SO FAR. SHE IS<br> NOT THE ONE WHO BARKS AT THE COOK. SHE IS<br> PLEASANT. SHE CAN PAY HER OWN WAY. TIME<br> TO TAKE A COLD BATH. THE ONLY KIND<br> WE GET.</p> <p>YOU TOOK THE CHANCE. AUTISTIC CHILDREN USE<br> THE WORD YOU. IT WAS HER FRIEND WHO<br> BROUGHT THIS UP. THERE WAS A HAPPY<br> CASUAL TONE. THE LANDLADY SAID THE MOON<br> WASN T WORTH ANYTHING ANYMORE SINCE  THEY <br> WERE ON IT. IT USED TO MEAN SOMETHING.<br> NOW  THEY LEFT THEIR PEE-PEE ON IT. SHE<br> USED TO CROSS HERSELF TO THE MOON. IT WAS<br> A FORM OF NATURE WORSHIP. THERE IS NO<br> ESCAPING NATURE NOW. IT S COMMERCIALIZED.<br> WOMEN ARE HERE AND THERE. YOU WOULD TRADE<br> THEM ALL FOR ONE. THAT S SOMETHING YOU<br> CAN T DO. YOU LOVED HER. YOU DIDN T<br> LOVE HER. IT WASN T A COLD THING.<br> MOM SENT A LETTER ON STARVATION.</p> <p>YOU HAVE BEEN DISEASED. YOU DIDN T WANT<br> TO BE. YOU THOUGHT YOU WOULD TAKE<br> ADVANTAGE OF IT. YOU ASKED THE LANDLADY TO<br> LEAVE THE HEAT ON THE NIGHT YOU WERE SICK.<br> IT WAS POSITIVE. SHE COMPLAINED. SHE LEFT<br> IT ON. IT WAS ON. THEN SHE WAS IN. SHE<br> WAS IN. SHE WOULDN T LEAVE. YOU COULDN T<br> LEAVE. IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE. IT WAS ABOUT<br> THAT DEEP. YOU SHOWED YOURSELF IN YOUR<br> UNDERWEAR. SHE DIDN T LEAVE. YOU SNAPPED<br> AT HER. IT WORKED. IT WAS POSITIVE.<br> SHE LEFT INSULTED. SHE HAD AN EXCUSE TO<br> NOT STAY WITH A SICK PERSON. SHE WAS<br> LUCKY. BEING SICK SCREWED EVERYTHING UP.<br> STARVING PEOPLE DIED. THERE WERE NO<br> MESSAGES. YOUR ROTTEN TORN QUILT TOOK CARE<br> OF EVERYTHING. IT S NOT RIGHT. SOMETHING<br> WAS MISSING. YOU THOUGHT OF IT ON STATE<br> STREET.</p> <p>INDIGNANT AS YOU WERE OF PEOPLE RUNNING YOU<br> DOWN YOU THOUGHT OF IT. WHAT WAS IT? IT S<br> ALWAYS ELUSIVE. YOU WERE A PEDESTRIAN<br> TRYING TO AVOID CARS. YOU ARE TRYING FOR A<br> TRAIN OF THOUGHT. IT CAN T JUST BE THE<br> TONE. WHAT IS THE SYMBOL? THERE HAS TO BE<br> A MESSAGE. THERE ARE STARVING PEOPLE.<br> THAT IS BASIC. YOU WERE A WASTE LYING<br> THERE SICK. YOU WERE A WASTE. THAT S<br> IT. THAT S THE SYMBOL. IS A SICK PERSON<br> A WASTE? IT WAS GIVEN<br> YOU. AREN T YOU WONDERFUL! IT S A WONDER!<br> YOUR CAR HAS A HOLE IN THE ROOF. THAT S<br> WONDERFUL. THE CAR NEVER RUNS. ISN T THAT<br> WONDERFUL? YOU CAN T AFFORD A REAL CAR.<br> YOU PUSH YOU CAR. IT S YOUR LOT. EVERYTHING<br> IS GIVEN TO YOU GENEROUSLY. IN EVERY<br> MOMENT THERE IS A TREASURE. THE CAR<br> SLEEPS IN YOUR ROOM. YOU PARK<br> ON THE STREET. YOUR ENEMIES LET THE AIR<br> OUT OF THE TIRES. MAYBE IT S YOUR FRIEND<br> THE LANDLADY. SHE IS A WITCH. ANIMOSITY<br> STRENGTHENS HER. THE CARE IS A WEAK<br> POINT. IT IS THE SYMBOL OF EVERYTHING.<br> THE CAR MEANS MOBILITY AND INDEPENDENCE.<br> THE CAR MEANS SIGNING YOUR LIFE AWAY TO THE<br> AUTO INDUSTRY. THE CAR MEANS YEARS OF<br> COMMERCIALS YOU D RATHER NOT SEE.<br> DECONSTRUCTIVE SYMBOLS ARE NOT MY CAR<br> OR STARVING PEOPLE OF REPRESSIVE REGIMES<br> PROPPED UP BY OIL COMPANIES. CATHOLICS<br> ARE STARVED TO DEATH INDIRECTLY BY OIL<br> COMPANIES IN BIAFRA. ALL THEY WANTED WAS<br> TO WORSHIP IN PEACE. THEIR PEACE WILL LAST.<br> NIGERIA LOST THE WAR. POWER IS FUTILE.</p> <p>THIS IS IMPORTANT. OUR LANDLADY TALKED<br> WITH A STRANGER. IT WAS AT LEAST AS IM-<br> PORTANT AS THE MONUMENT YOU WATCHED IN THE<br> RAIN. THERE IT IS AGAIN. YOU NEED SOME-<br> THING TO COMPARE, BUT WHICH IS IT?<br> THERE WAS THE STRANGER FROM MAINE. HE HAD<br> NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. YOU FELT SECURE<br> WITHOUT THE COLD THERE. THE LANDLADY COULD<br> FACE HIM AND KNOW FOR CERTAIN. IN THE<br> HALLWAY ON THE SECOND FLOOR YOU POSITIONED<br> YOU-SELF, CROUCHING BEHIND THE BANISTER COR-<br> NER POST. YOU SHUT OUT THE LIGHT. THAT<br> WAS IMPORTANT. YOU DIDN T KNOW WHY YOU<br> CROUCHED THERE TO KNOW. IF THEY CAUGHT<br> YOU, WOULD YOU BE AFRAID? THERE WAS NOTHING<br> IN IT. THEY WERE JUST TWO OLD PEOPLE<br> CONVERSING. IT WAS ONE WAY. THE LANDLADY<br> SPOKE FOR THE HALF HOUR YOU LISTENED. HE<br> WOULD SAY HE HAD TO GO. IT WAS EASTER.<br> YOU DON T KNOW WHERE SHE GOT HIM. HE HAD<br> JUST MET HER. HE PROMISED TO CALL. HE WAS<br> JUST A LONELY MAN TOO. WHERE IS IT? ONE<br> MINUTE YOU WERE WATCHING THE MONUMENT<br> ARCH OVER PARK AVENUE IN THE RAIN. IT WAS<br> PLEASANT. THE LANDLADY MYSTIFIED YOU.<br> SHE NEVER SAID A THING. IT WAS JUST THE<br> IMPORTANCE OF OVERHEARING IT. CHRIST WAS<br> THERE TOO. SHE WAS NOT A WITCH AFTER ALL.</p> <h4 align="center">27 W. 11</h4> <p>THE LANDLORD<br> CONFISCATED THE PLANTS.<br> TOOK PETER S JADE PLANT AND BEAT IT TO<br> PIECES ON THE RAILING.<br> LIKE A WEED<br> THE LANDLORD SURVIVED ON ATTENTION.<br> AFRAID SO LONG OF A CONNECTION OR WIDER<br> VISION, EVERYTHING WAS BARREN AND<br> COURSE.<br> PETER SALVAGED A PIECE OF HIS PLANT,<br> RESURRECTED IT.</p> <p>I WAS THREATENED TO BE THROWN OUT<br> FOR SITTING<br> ON THE STOOP.<br> THE LANDLORD LIKED TO MAKE IT AS MISERABLE<br> AS POSSIBLE,<br> A SORT OF ZEN MASTER<br> WITHOUT HIS KNOWING IT.<br> DESIRES, DISTRACTIONS, AND EVEN REST<br> ON OUR JOURNEY WERE DENIED.</p> <p>THE LANDLORD WOULD SAY THE ELEVATOR WAS OUT<br> OF SERVICE EVERY OTHER WEEK<br> TO TRAP THE OLD TENANTS ON THE TOP<br> FLOORS.</p> <p>THE LANDLORD WANTED PEOPLE TO MOVE IN AND<br> OUT SO HE COULD RAISE THE RENTS.<br> WE STAYED.<br> A KIND OF JUDO MOVE ON OUR PART.<br> NO MONEY FOR LAWYERS.</p> <p>SHOUEE COULDN T MAKE IT DOWN<br> TO PAY HIS RENT.<br> ANOTHER OLD BENT OVER MAN TOOK IT DOWN.<br> ARTIE WOULD HAVE TAKEN IT,<br> BUT THE LANDLORD SAW HIM.<br> THE LANDLORD SAID THERE WAS A RULE.<br> YOU HAD TO PAY IN PERSON.<br> MR. SHOUEE DIED SOON AFTER.</p> <p>THE LANDLORD THREW<br> SHOUEE S BELONGINGS<br> INTO THE STREET,<br> EVEN THOUGH THE ROOM WAS PAID FOR.<br> SHOUEE DIDN T DESERVE THIS.<br> HE WAS ONCE AN ACCOMPLISHED PIANIST.<br> THE RELATIVES COULDN T GET A LOOK<br> AT THE PAPERS HE LEFT.<br> THE LANDLORD HAD DISCARDED THEM.<br> BUT KAFKA WAS RIGHT.<br> IF ARTISTS AREN T SUPPORTED DURING THEIR<br> LIVES, THEY SHOULD DESTROY THEIR WORK!</p> <p>I USED TO BUY SHOUEE A CHAMPALE AT THE<br> STORE. HE HAD EMPHYSEMA,<br> BUT HE WAS OLD AND I BOUGHT HIM THE<br> CHAMPALE. PETER HAD LENT MR. SHOUEE A BOOK<br> WHICH WAS RETURNED<br> CAKED WITH ROACH DROPPINGS.<br> SHOUEE WAS AN OLD MAN<br> WITH A STUBBLE BEARD.<br> DISLIKED<br> VICTORIAN BROWN, A DULL COLOR.<br> WORE AN OLD HAT.<br> HIS MEMORY RESTED BY THE STAIRWAY,<br> THE SCORE OF THE UNIVERSE.</p> <p>HERSCH THREW MEAT OUT THE WINDOW<br> IN COMMEMORATION<br> INTO THE TREETOPS.<br> PETER EXPLAINED HE WAS EXPRESSIONISTIC.<br> HERSCH RIPPED THE MAILBOX<br> OUT OF THE WALL<br> WITH EVERYONE S<br> MAIL.<br> HE THREW IT<br> INTO THE STREET.</p> <p>PETER WORKS AS AN USHER A FEW HOURS A WEEK<br> AT P.S. YOUR CAT IS DEAD.<br> BEEN LIVING HERE FOR 10 YEARS.<br> THE LANDLORD CHARGED RENT RETROACTIVELY.<br> HE WOULD KILL AND ROB US IF THERE WASN T A<br> LAW! PETER KEPT HIS COOL,<br> A SORT OF ZEN MEDITATION BY DEFAULT,<br> NO TICKEE<br> NO WASHEE.<br> WE COULDN T AFFORD THE DISTRACTIONS OF THIS<br> WORLD.<br> WE WERE WITHOUT COMPLIMENTS OF THE EGO,<br> AND AS FREE AND BOUNDLESS AS THE<br> UNIVERSE! THE COMMUNAL KITCHEN WAS GUMMED<br> WITH GREASE. HORDES OF ROACHES.<br> A LIVING WAGE, A DIRTY WINDOW.<br> THE UNIVERSE IS A WINDOW COLLECTING DUST.<br> PETER WRITES.<br> HAS A DOCTORATE IN LITERATURE.<br> WORKS AS AN USHER.<br> WALTER HAS A MASTER S FROM YALE.<br> SPEAKS FLUENTLY FOUR LANGUAGES.<br> WORKS AS A MESSENGER,<br> AN HONORABLE PROFESSION.<br> PHIL IS FINDING SALVATION IN POOL.<br> ONE OF THE PRISONERS WAS RELEASED IN<br> CUSTODY<br> OF HELENE. THEY MARRIED.<br> DICK WRINGS HIS HANDS<br> AND DREAMS OF THE DAY OF HIS RELEASE.<br> MIKE AND JACK SLEPT LENGTHWISE NEXT TO THE<br> BED<br> ON THE SLEEPING BAG,<br> THE DEVIL (I CAN T THINK OF HIS NAME)<br> WIDTHWISE AT THE END OF THE BED<br> ON THE NEWSPAPERS.<br> MY ROOM IS FULL OF PAINTINGS, WRITING.<br> I DO AS LITTLE AS POSSIBLE<br> OF WHAT IS CONSIDERED WORTH DOING -<br> TV, BEER, AND A JOB.<br> THE WORLD HAS GONE CRAZY.<br> THE WOMEN COME AND GO.</p> <p>I M ALONE.<br> NO ONE BUT EVERYONE.<br> I LIKE IT HERE.<br> I WRITE.<br> I PAINT.<br> I RESPOND,<br> AND LIFE<br> IS SALVAGED<br> FROM AN ABYSS!</p> <p>MARRIAGE AND A HOUSE<br> AND A BABY CARRIAGE</p> <hr width="25%"> <h3 align="center">It s Funny!</h3> <p>It s funny!<br> I studied to be the artist,<br> but <i> minha esposa </i> is the stunningly<br> creative one in the place of first.<br> With gold paper buckles on tennis shoes,<br> she makes a pirate so bold.<br> I think art that crosses boundaries grows<br> in ways that are only to be sold.<br> <i> Para sua gloria a minha mae! </i><br> shouts voices of critics whose voices<br> are still high.</p> <center> <img border="0" src="../image692.jpg" width="391" height="455"> </center> <h4 align="center">Media is the heroin of the secular class</h4> <font SIZE="4"> <hr width="25%"> <b><font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"> <p align="center"><img SRC="Image9.jpg" width="427" height="640"></p> <p>I remember light emanating from her soul,</font></b> </font> <b> <font SIZE="4"> but to capture the light is the question that saddens and burdens with </font></b> <b><font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"> <font SIZE="4"> toil.</font></font></b>&nbsp;<font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><b><font SIZE="4"><br> How impossible a smile with the inward eye of beauty bright!<br> The paint could only envy the hold on touch and the passing light.<br> The white released a cascade of vales to the unassuming confidence</font></b></font> <b><font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><font SIZE="4">and grace in beauty.<br> Who could resist our younger years entreaty?<br> To know her would stretch from continent to continent in a restless</font></font></b> <font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><b><font SIZE="4">urging to leave the self behind.<br> Cultures blended beyond words, and a wind winds our thoughts and</font></b></font> <b><font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><font SIZE="4">souls into one that can only be seen by the blessed blind.<br> It was not the shape, the color, the hue, but the deep well of the heart.<br> It emerged one night when holding hands in a quiet Hungarian</font></font></b> <font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><b><font SIZE="4">Restaurant where we take our part.<br> The Golden Doughnut proved the simple but true flowers that the</font></b></font> <b><font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><font SIZE="4">roses envied.<br> She accepted the &quot;Yellow Piano&quot; without a smile that belied.<br> The paint was still wet as we had to be careful with a beginning that</font></font></b> <font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><b><font SIZE="4">was still malleable and uncertain.<br> The piano merged two worlds of music and art at the opening of the</font></b></font> <b><font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><font SIZE="4">heavy curtain.<br> A child was happily awaiting backstage, anxious to do his part.<br> To the next life, we were entrusted with this unknown chart.<br> She did not have to push an old car to get it started,<br> and it was not her to leave at a convenient hour.<br> The coupons delivered us a night on the town beyond the lost towers.<br> Cramped quarters were a warm heart and expansive thoughts that</font></font></b> <font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><b><font SIZE="4">explored New York galleries in cold second hand clothes.<br> Living on cheese and wine, we never thought of woes.<br> She was the enigma we always sought from generation to generation</font></b></font> <b><font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold"><font SIZE="4">and into our forgiving graves.<br> If that blue was not true to the the richness of graces that save,<br> If not the shallow abstract of causes unsure relieve the tension,<br> If not the testament to what lies beyond, then we are to ourselves</font></font></b> <font SIZE="4"><b><font FACE="TimesNewRoman,Bold">treason.</p> </font></b><font FACE="LucidaHandwriting"> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p align="center"><img SRC="../TaiChi/craneturtle.gif" width="358" height="304"></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Da Liu</p> <p>The crane is balance and patience;<br> Poised in the currents of life;<br> Quiet, watchful, listening.<br> On unseen spiral paths,<br> It ascends the heavens to blissful,&nbsp;<br> all accepting emptiness beyond</font></font> <font SIZE="4"><font FACE="LucidaHandwriting">strife.<br> The unassuming tortoise drags its tail in the mud;<br> Buries itself in the mother of all creation.<br> Its slow rooted path leads to long life.<br> In harmony with the crane and tortoise,<br> Heaven and earth are united.</font></p> <p align="center"><b><i>Go to Page <a href="charlespoetry1.htm"> 1</a>, <a href="charlespoetry2.htm">2</a>, <a href="charlespoetry3.htm">3</a>, <a href="charlespoetry4.htm">4</a>, <a href="charlespoetry5.htm">5</a></i></b></p> </font><blockquote> <blockquote> <b> <P align="center"><a href="http://www.cafepress.com/arttechnology.14118195" target="_blank">Click here to buy a book in print.</a> </P> </b> <P align="center"><B><a HREF="../writings.htm" target="_top"><font face="Comic Sans MS" size="2">ArtTechnology.com, A Gallery of Original Expressionistic Art, Poetry, and Prose</font></a></B> </P> </blockquote></blockquote> </td> </tr> </table> </div> </blockquote></blockquote> </div> <div align="center"> </div> <p> ArtTechnology.com is an art gallery dedicated to original expressionistic art works, poetry, and prose.&nbsp; By means of original expressionistic art works, poetry, and prose, ArtTechnology.com seeks to raise epiphanies in our personal and communal growth.&nbsp; By faithfully exploring the familiar to the profound through expre