The Poetry of
Michael G. Khmelnitsky

  sometimes i forget how to speak
  & all that comes out of my mouth
  is deafmute desperation & vice

         i forget what city I'm in and with
         what inflection of voice to ask
         for the time or a little more ice

black pickup trucks creep
across the horizon like
hollow insect shells stir


   i am terrified thinking to myself
   młode uczennice for me
   voyage dans la lune for her

                 sounds reach me through
                 dark subterranean caves
                 all confusion and fright

        how did I get here
        ribbed & dotted for
        all her delight