au revoir l’échafaud

This poem appears in We Were Hateful People.

Inspired by Shawn McKenzie

stepping through the mud
with you

i realize
I am an old man
with a frail neck

while at sea
the emvee queen of oak bay
celebrates her day of berth
by receiving me


i never had her
though she claimed

she wished
to be possessed
but no  i'd borrowed

her from others

   • roger dodger
   • daniel man of passion
   • jeffrey the fondler


shoulders draped
with a golden fleece

she doubles her thalers
i beg her
to not mistake

   for wistfulness
   my gathered dissonance

   for watchful vigilance
   betinged with bitterness


   my formal imminence
   my floral innocence

if ever
any body asks
i will explain to them

       no one's ennobled
       by a labour of love

       free breakfast
       not included with


       i was the shadow of the
       dove wing slain

the ex
one speeds
into the grey

away