VERTIGO

VERTIGO

The howling began with sounds and syllables, at first

only a buzz

responding at an elemental level to a terrifying felt sense

then, the words and phrases, wailing

axes off kilter

scrabbling and frantic tumbling 

swirling sickening confusion

tilt a whirling 

wild 

a perfect storm

a tear in the fabric

a poet is dead

his sweet wordplay lingers and murmurs

stays with me (us)

I (we) breathe gratitude

 I (we) breathe relief for his reprieve

and  I (we) grieve

this magnificent loss

no one else is 

Carl Leggo

wondering about his grand-daughter's three syllable name.... 

Madeline

the howling began with sounds and syllables

wondering, I am wondering

(my) vertigo at a fever pitch 

sliding off the table of the world 

still here, 

rocked by the randomness of who dies

in the arms of this wild devouring bramble beast

and who lives

REMISSION 

The dragon is sleeping
 somehow
someday

she will awaken. 

Then, we will journey together

again. 

REMISS I on... a cloud

 of joy

and hope

there are words 

to write the carnal bedrock 

of living with....

NO

of dwelling with

this dragon 

RE-MISSION

as I steal and lean on another's 

lovely words

proud to be a thief 

who knows she needs 

help.

Finally.

First, you make the beast beautiful.