Pick up

Pick up the glass
and pour the wine on to the floor.
If they ask,
say nothing
or say it wasn’t you.
Take your card
and make your lie
and repeat the mantra
until it becomes the sole of your shoe.
If they ask you again,
Tell them what you know.

Pick up the story
and pour it into their hands.
If they ask,
say everything
or say whatever’s in mind.
Take your part
and make your story
and repeat it over
until it becomes the blood in their veins.
If they are asked again,
They’ll tell what they know

Pick up your lie
or pick up your truth,
Because you will be asked...
and when they ask
it’s your turn to speak.
So choose your words carefully
as the colours blend together.
and when you speak,
tell me what breaks the lie,
belief or action?

2003 2-3

Last Man

It’s the last man standing
Dressed in grey
Swaying
With grief
Sorrow
And whisky

It’s the last man hiding
In a tower
A rich interior
Imprisoned within
Fat on sin
Days pass

It’s the last man giving
From in the hills
Skin raw
Bones tired
Broken
Surrounded
Chosen

Gone

Did it fall
Washed by rain
Kicked away
Pulled apart
Cracked
Broken
Shattered
Lying as rags
Pieces
Ashes
Gone
Forgotten



But not for me

Saw

It’s not where you are
It’s where you were
And where you went with his hands
It’s not the words that I wrote
That I burned in your name
The night it fell
The words that hold me by day
And vanish by night
When my thoughts find you
And name you
And it feels like I’m seeing
What she saw.