Number 64

That was the truth as much as I could get it. The cold shakes up the frost. Where in this starkness does it matter? How to hold onto the moment of breathing without number 64. I will do it. I barely use 65 and then the too strong 66 disinfects even the tiles. What gains I've made these past weeks. I've been at the windows looking at the polish. Glass becoming water as I walk away.

Custodian vs. The Sandman: Just A Matter Of Time

It was my eagle after all soaring behind the mountain into the gates of the canyon on this fine day the reindeer entering their silence and me with a phone.

The Way It Was Going

The way it was going had a lot to be desired. Let's just say that the way it was going fell by the wayside tripping just a bit and then remembering to pick up its feet instead of sliding right along. The Chief Inspector told me a thing or two that I already knew By heart if not by sight.

Two Hours

The Chief Inspector called me up wanted me back on the case. I said I had retired quite some time ago when I still had the acumen. Well whatever. The chief said this and I knew I was back. I had to dig through miles of dirt to get to the bottom of things. Just like with the Chief. This proves you never quite know. Evening hit like a drug and then it was time the consider wrapping it up packing it all into two hours.

Oblate

Simple disc Eating the sun Not quite paper Not quite leather Return Return to Moon's soft powdery face I'll bring in extra wood Calm down the fire Its embers and a hidden wind

It Sounds Like A Sentence

It is about feeling and then knowing what is the dark and what is lighting the obvious that must become what like living in the past matters taken to heart on a daily basis

Regarding The Night

We were shuffled from place to place. I like this work it takes my mind away. Bombs everywhere until I lost my old self. Are you drinking enough water? My sister does not remember. She knows how. What I cannot say I have been searching for. It is taking a lifetime to do this. Every time I think I find myself. I can't see her when I want. Flying.

Question Mark

I'll hang those toys on the tree. See how birds stay. I'll touch them. Small. I'll sit by the fire. Braid the bread. I'll comb out the tangles from the light chain. Again. Small moon slaying anyone too near. So what if there is still rubble it will never be cleared away from what is lost for good.

The Missing Spiderweb

My life will never be the same. I keep thinking. I am so grateful. This dark night so great. All the words. The trees. Birds. Animals. You.

Legend Of The Whistling Custodian

High and low. The tune unrecognized. The sound carrying near and far like the wind among people. Washing down the tiles getting at all the dust.

Moon Ice Hours Ago

Moon's ice everywhere In heavy branches Whole trees on the ground full clouds busy traveling the Willamette See how wrecked the streets where's home under the trees killer icicles falling the residents leave just in time gulping strong coffee that was hours ago They arrive without shoes coats hats too many bags containing nothing hours went by

Funny How I Knew That

Dance Of The Custodians Part One Three things will become your dream: Imagination, coincidence consciousness Leading you to the secret Passageway out into the fresh air its pines and plantings So tell me to stay away from the dream as if I could breathe water Icicles everywhere hanging and belonging If you ask a question expect an answer just not right away plus factor-in movement and change before the next morning which is really near midnight

Dance Of The Spiderwebs

Their frozen feet The icy storm Branches breaking off Sliding agreements into each other So remember Now live See what you started Be glad It isn't quite midnight Yet

Midnight Feast

Feast, custodians feast. Tomorrow is here tonight will be the new morning. Walk, custodians. Walk it off. Soon will be midnight all the buildings hushed.

Academia For Two

It was made of maple and very strong. One point was deducted that was all. The ending of the term should've been celebrated not with them craving so much more. Guitars and all as an explanation but that would diminish Addison's genius flaw Halley's perfection.

Dial M For Mezzanine

You have to go around tonight on your run just watch out for the wax it has not dried all the way. Give it another fifteen minutes.

Stop At The Stairs

The corners looked good. I saw that he stole my gloves. They ask each other and use soft voices. The music a machine the trade-off somewhat chaotic. Not quite awake and not quite sleeping. The lake was always there. Sometimes bothering. So cold. Swimming only an idea most times.

French Prairie Summer

The oak grove is still there but have the trees shrunk after thirty years eight steps from my tent to the canvas one up on a platform the propane stove I started each morning at three-thirty in St. Paul watching and waiting for the field burn now that the tenders of the open land the beaver the water in the impossibly wide valley stopped by new houses where the field school had their dig and I was the cook who sliced her fingers--seventeen stitches on a Crisco can. John McKay you are dead. What do I owe you and the St. Paul summer back then of course I fell in love with the Champoeg wheat those years ago when I fell to my knees retching.

Leave It By The Closet

She knew she was becoming neurotic again. Who in their right mind would pin together a faulty cushion in one of the offices with her protest safety pins? Not anyone else nobody she knew plus that telltale drop of blood when she messed up and pushed too much bossy with the pin, leaving behind her D.N.A. in the middle of the night on some lonely corridor more commonly known as the mezzanine. Yes, her favorite band was somehow managing to play after forty years and tour remembering aloud their oh so lucky break with Ray Manzarek.

Saga Of The Missing Door Stop

Where, why and how. Those three essential philosophies. Without them it was just another graveyard shift just more polish inside the elevator plus all those pencil shavings to return to. Careful where you step there's more to it how to go around.