Song of the Marginal Man
1.
I have a friend at court
He defends my
Periodic narcosis
Gutter ball marginalia
Sublet parasitism
Doloroso hymns
Bleated long
And low
2.
I feel oblivious
To the cacophony of
The common crowd
The cold-hearted
Prosecution
Instead
I follow the wings
Of the honey guide
3.
The song of hands
Striking ewer and basin
Freshly drawn water
They
Dance for the morning sun
Plaster ceiling is a silver screen
For sun’s bath laughter
Guest soaks in the meaning
Before undressing
So Much Glass to So Much Steel
Behind a clear, glass veil
Facing a snarling, spitting sea
And the dim shadow of Georges Island
I spent nine dollars
From Mother’s retirement cheque
On gelato down at the bay
Birra Moretti in a coffee cup
And for a frat boy twist
Greek fries with chopsticks
Outside this farmer’s market
A distant cousin with payot and a suit of sky-by-night
Nods his head and fedora in a courtly fashion
To the bag boy and his toil
And the train enters and do-si-dos
With kindred spirit trains
To the strain of whistles blown
For dream time
Swimming Pool, Water Park, Snow
Life guard out in an apple orchard
Nice shorts there out in January cold
Lifeguard tower covered in frost
Interrupted step by step
With flip flop indentations
Shouting to displaced Jamaicans
Who did not make it home
Get out of the water
Followed by one, two three short blasts
The Jamaicans eye one another,
Convince one another to humour their fine
Life guard, and feign fatigue
They beg for assistance out of the invisible water
Exemplified
By snow-covered earth
The lifeguard and his distressed swimmers make it to shore
There is mollification
If not exultation