article 5

in lines black

the arts are described

as having                     an

            erstwhile squint

he almost represents the real

they

            mention you

philosophy       tries to happen

in parks

                        in pubs

but enough

but just

                        the disposable

suburbs and decapitated efforts

are

life, work, childhood, rolling

come back

            its probably as good

            here as a coronary

the bangs will only cease

Article 10 (for the director, actor and writer)

is it time

is it confirmed

with the anti-Semitism

or heedless Generals

            I hold my headless son

blood

painted

on the staring wheel of his bed

in any event

these men become friends

it was cut to the chase

come forward

            there’s a little boy

            suddenly out of nowhere

            the snake touches

            his faint outline

they are remembered as a sharp people

of some

now submerged plain

and none of the envelopes

lower the last coffin into the house

Article 14

after 20,000 numbers his boyfriend mops his brow

grains are measured

air is inhaled

the rest blocked out

anywhere a moment is thought to be near

a novel is commissioned

on Jesus’ nephew

on a president’s buttock

on what we did then

on gutting a pig

the vulture pecks

            and through him

            comes contentment

            with him

            comes some kind of raptor to nibble on our walls

if only we could civilise all this untouchable information

            enter into it or him

Article 17

before he might die

his father saw him twice

different eyes

and dress

pineapple rings dry out

beans turn from orange to grey

a beeping

the screwdriver is in the fresh air

and his wandering walk threatens something

out there

I wouldn’t         have stopped

            a shorthand for let downs

            his role is military

            not nature

the crocodile eats bread and answers to Bernie

Copyright @ Michael Egan, 2006