FOR NEW YORK

 

you can’t see them

you’ll never remember

what they looked like the last time

you saw them

because you can never look

at something like as if it were the last time

because you never really

believe there will be one

 

you don’t fear death anymore.

you’re never sure if you did

in a strange way you know

you’re safer

because the world has moved.

you are riveted.

everything in your life means a

little bit more of something.

you name it.

 

your arms are branches and

your fingers root the sky

you lift up your soot stained

face to the world’s eyes and

get off clean. in history

you are complete. in god you

are breached. in sorrow, you

are justified

for all want you open the markets of the world

and they think they want you to say

that you had to but you know better.

and you cry.

 

so come down and rain

away the smoke that seems

it may never go away

 

I want a promise I’ll be proud

to walk under. Let those who dedicate flesh

rattle the girders above me. I’ll throw my fist

under their soles. Let them

feel what it’s like to put rock

to the spiritual and castigate an entire MO

by stretching once more

 

I’ll not see my last time

When I see the curve of the earth

once more available

to anyone

who chooses to laugh by my side