
Things
are just
touch a
of out
sequence,
dis-
com-
bob-
u-
lated.
© Gallcha, 2301

Things
are just
touch a
of out
sequence,
dis-
com-
bob-
u-
lated.
© Gallcha, 2301

Me
or a bubble
bouncing
along
the edge
of the ceiling
again?
So much dust
atop
these cabinets!
It appears
I’ve
rubbed
to a
halt
A
tight
drum
Too close
to the
light
Bare
hot
incandescent
The roar
at the edge
of the falls
Or maybe
it’s just
an updraft
Through
open window
and up
Steady
and
rapid
First rooftops
then worlds,
next time
recedes
Me
or a star
careening?
© Chagall, 2013

By the very
tight and precise
vee of the gaggle,
I could tell she was
firm, a fair commander.
Turn on a dime, all nine
chute the dip
as one.
So beautiful
atoned
in echelon.
Lost in startling air,
when twilight came
the vee softened
but only for a while.
© Chagall, 2013

I write this very carefully
so that you don’t stray – at least not very far –
naturally.
Keep the pale blue
in you going,
temper and pace,
and be aware.
In fragrant air
keep bouncing aloft –
see how rooftops keep rising
before us!
The
last
fall is
the hardest,
so say failed aerialists,
but such a sweet kiss
when we’ll hit the ground.
© Chagall, 2013

You’re not anywhere near
where you’d promised
you’d be,
Señor Moon . . .
Mister Moon.
And my sweetheart
is flat, she’s downright
disappointed.
So I think that you owe me
something – no Señor Moon?
Mister Moon . . .?
You’re waning, I’m waxing,
we’re slightly out of step.
Or perhaps, as you say,
she simply finds me too . . .
clean-shaven?
Oye baby!
Signorina,
that’s a
che
bella
luna.
Extraordinarily che,
opulently bella,
laughingly che bella
luna.
© Chagall, 2013

In order to
defend and protect,
we must first agree
on what’s at stake.
© Chagall, 2013

The world awakens
a fresh day to age and die
unsuspecting life
© Chagall, 2013

This morning the usual banner confronts me,
says Just another day!
but I know better,
and I’m going to show it,
and it doesn’t have a clue,
and exactly who died
anyway and left it
queen for the reign?
© Chagall, 2013

You may call me Ishi,
the last Yahi,
if that suits you.
Though back in the foothills,
I am nameless,
known essentially as one who is
with, in, through, and about
the wind –
that should suffice for our purpose here.
I have no friends
who still live
so no one can
properly introduce us,
such is the custom.
Perhaps one day you can christen me,
and together we can return
to defend the canyons,
where and when I will show you
my real name.
© Chagall, 2013

Twenty-one reports
crack in unison
amount to one
big bang
a salute
to the passing
of the worthy
makes the living jump
and startles the dead
leaves behind
the smell of burnt powder
little puffs of smoke
hang there
in a blue dust
shaped by stainless barrels
blackened and burnished
© Chagall, 2013