The Dead on Arrival

Many stars we like
to think are stars aren't
yet aware of the fact
that they burned
out light years ago
and so they burn
on in the dark
about what has become
of themselves. A spark
is also in the dark
about what has become
of where it comes
from. Forward looking,
it fizzes along
a fuse and sheds
the snakeskin of ash
it both is and isn't,
which means in short
it comes from a long
line of the dead and is dead
on arrival. The dead
on arrival are always
already out of time
and date. They are loss
leaders, losers right
out of the starting gate,
letters from the front
which just arrived
and have outlived
their authors. This appals us
but also leaves us
cold - this news that's
of the minute
but also old: a pall
for the wrapping
up of tomorrow's halibut.



After the Credits Have Rolled

the hand you hoped
and prayed would stay
buried for once
and for all

(the hand with the one
shocking eye
set in its palm
like a trick buzzer)

bursts up and out
of the ground
...