ALBATROSS NIGHT FALL / MIND WALLS (I) (inspired by an Anne Sexton poem) I'm surprised to see Ocean still going on Now I'm going back And I have ripped my hand
From your hand as I said I would And I have made it this far And I say I would And I'm on the top deck now
Holding my wallet, my books And my car keys At 2 o'clock on Tuesday In this August Where's none to pitch in
Dearest Everything's happened The sea is very old The sea is the face of Mary Without pain or rage
Unusual hope Grown rough and wrinkled With incurable age
Still I have eyes These are my eyes Orange letter spell ORIENT on life preserver That hangs by my knees Cement lifeboat wears Its dirty canvas coat The faded sign that sits on Saying KEEP OFF
Oh I'll right I say I'll try to save myself
Over my right shoulder I see for girls Who sit like a bridge club Their faces pocked out From under their habits
As good as babies Have sunk into their thoughts
Without discrimination The wind pulls the skirts Of arms .. almost undressed I see what remains
That wrist That ankle That earing … That chain
Could you please Let this for me Loose in leather boots And wooden chairs To rise out
Over this greasy deck Out over this iron rail Nodding pink heads to one side They're flying for a breast In their dark fashioned Side stroke (...)