what we forget to remember

are the flat tires fixed 

by roadside strangers

subway seats given up
softens elderly anger

we forget when young we 

snatched the cane of an overlord

and righted the protest
with no intent to defraud
like a swan necked round a lover

feathers laid back in alarm

are you my hero

are you here to do harm

this is the universe crawling begotten

this is the friendship

we are faced with uncertain

how many times have I drunk

elixir well spoken in language
I know when I’m drunk and broken
it comes back forever
this drink this reposting

welcome the bulls when they
crash through the wrong
I am drunk and unhinged

bored with bleating song
nostalgia grows like mold
on a slow-moving worm
it shutters the new
it comes dressed as harm
what we forget to remember

are small kindnesses each day

gathering the strengths

in pockets to say
make a video of this
you sad panting poseurs

this city ain’t dead

though it leaves some alone

beware of the dog that steals
all of the bones

this city ain’t dead

though it makes a great poem

this city ain’t dead

when we call it home.