a man wants to sleep off the drink
and bust his ass till sundown
a man wants to win every board game
and a new girl on Tuesday

He wants the ocean behind brown eyes

a man is a leader of men
and a burden to society
a man is a creature of habit
and a camel chewing cud

He is forever becoming the other

a man does as he pleases
and does the dishes
a man does his own taxes
and does the deed

He does a fine job balancing pleasure with ambition

a man believes in humanity for awhile
and friendship as consolation
a man believes science is less corrupt
and fighting against strident voices

He believes in anything that punishes cruelty

a man needs a tiny waisted maid
and a drink of Irish whiskey
a man needs primitive rock n’ roll
and everything and then some more

He needs stillness to consider

how far he’s come
what else he needs to do
and the time he has left
to sit quietly in his study

Or scream in search of small gods

November 21st, 2016
Ventura, CA

If there were less space for the sun to break through
would you grant me a few minutes
to deliver overwrought sermons
about connections within the unified field

What if post traumatic handshakes gave us time
to gather a wooden stump
like a bent old man
having his last good sit

When I was alone
the visions of this night
were formless yet murmuring
tachycardic tremors

did I see you there
would you talk to me
can I go with you
did I do it right

Under the Orpheum I reached back to offer
johnny on the spot
a chance to step closer
and a chance to provide

Now under the banner of horizon
we distill each fading memory
as nothing in a work week work night
or everything on a catholic Sunday

April 18th, 2016
Los Angeles, CA