do should can
Do you
insist on half a moon
do you
go to bed earlier than I do
do you
blame Taurus sometimes
do you
cut yourself a little short?
Should I write here in this little box
forcing me to make no errors
or to make errors that tear my clothes
or should I keep my creases and
pound nails for a few days
into my fingers for a new poem
for you?
Should you
value lightning over thunder
should you
let bugs live and prosper
should you
respect the rights of bloodsuckers
should you
answer me when I ask?
Does the trumpet have enough force
to keep me and you in the game
not if it plays songs about love affairs
the captive and pioneer tornado
yes and now because of my lips
being ready long night and day
for you?
Will you win this temporary battle
cannonball in your throat and all
the memory from the smell of salt
the hunger you get from opening
the pantry door to gawk at luxury
and the sandy voice of jihad says not
for you?
Can you
prize the found over the lost
can you
see through the rosy shower curtain
can you
scrub clean what you've been telling everyone
can you
be brave in the face of listening?
