Recorded Reading (7:15): https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7y16jemm561gfoyf7ruor/alleealleeincomefree.mp3?rlkey=g031y20igin6m4xuot46rtrsp&dl=0

*****

alleealleeincomefree

the abc’s are over
now it’s time to search

in the bushes, pause for a ‘p’
in the parlor, stay for ‘t’
but always seeking
for the speaking
poking, peeking

the search
for the ring of keys

there’s nine, three threes
and O
but that’s the ring

children know
but they don’t no they gno

the whole trick
is to get back to it
by walking in a circle
hopefully a small one, a ring
(the big ones don’t keep out much of anything)

one
the mystery of self

two
the mystery of union

three
the mystery of creation

four
the door
by which the dark enters
since it’s square
and has corners
where things turn
and lurk

five, the ‘f’s
freedom, philosophy
flight of
fancy!

six
struggle
and honor
not quite square, but
cornered
and desperate

seven is balance
you’d think it was two, but
two has no middle

eight
the gate
in the strong outer wall
twice four
two squares
too scared
the binding
tightens to struggle like seaweed, but
opens, reclining

to two rings
eternity
mobius
mobile
noble, and

nine
the divine
which stands in the silence
of long grey locks
and with burning eyes
sees all and
still seeks

attach them to O
oh
om
the circle’s complete

you’re ready to go
on
in
on
another level

and now
your searching begins again

now you’re there
in the other circle of the reclining eight
something you ate
which gave you weight
enough for flight
and balance/ballast
against the cold winds of fate

the universe stretches
beyond the window of your starship
the membrane of your own womb
with you inside it
and as you ride it
you’re given your second
and third sight
for the much more perilous search
for the way back

a search for the right way
no, the left way, no
the middle way

you’re given a map
with the road clear upon it
which leads to the top of the circle
where it all cones together
and you’re safe
for a moment
or an eternity

a map with a drop
of each half in the other
to confuse you a little
as you walk the curving razor line
building bridges as you go

between

right and left
new and old
most and least
west and east
man and beast

you find your way back
by making them one
harmonious whole
within and without

and you’re
your
back!

which you’ve learned how to turn
to let things happen behind you
and a little to the left
they go much more perfectly
that way

and just when you think
that your searching is ended
your third search begins

a search for your syble
ings

it’s lonely and cold
way out there, way in there
at the edge of the world

(and the world has an edge
to fall off of, screaming)

you search for them in their own faces
in their tiniest gestures
to tell you of things
that they can’t put in words

you wait for a pause, like a gate
through the hate
and the anger and fear
the frustration and pain
the concealed motivation
and focus on gain
you wait

and you watch
them watching you

and you wonder
what they want
for it seems they usually do want something

if you’re very lucky
it’s only the pleasure
of watching you
watch them
and wait

while it all happens behind you
at a lifting of a finger
or a focus of the eyes
or a neon smile, quickly covered
for it’s like medicine

too much is too little
at the top of the circle
where all is one

you went searching for freedom
and found Freedom instead
like a collosal chess game
or a minuette
or hide and go seek

so intricate
so complex
so fluid

where you make all the rules
and then they make you

at the end of the game
you get in for free
it has to be free
if you have anything left to pay with
you have to stay out

you missed something somewhere

and for you
the search just goes on
a little longer

*****

Homeless until removal of the stalker/targeter/vandal/arsonist following her allows her to approach any landlord ~ even for a private parking space ~ this poet presently lives under perpetual threat of towing with all possessions should her 23-year-old van stop running for any reason.

She is badly in need of a modest reserve with which to field any emergency which might occur.

Donors may visit http://www.UgiftABLE.com , using code #72D-31S. It does take several days for the poet to be notified of your patronage.

Thank you for supporting quality in the fine arts.