brighton.in.flames

the beach was black that summer night
we were staring at the sea

you turned to talk & found me laughing
what fools we mortals be

the buildings soared above our heads
the wind blew off the sea

the flames were silent when they came
they warmed us---you & me

the pier-it shook with wooden might
& cast shadows on the sea

i held your hand---you touched my hair
i trembled at the knee

the city fell like Babylon
& crashed into the sea

we witnessed this but we stood still
just the embers, you & me

brighton fell that fateful night
and debris graced the sea

yes, she fell with pride and grace
and with her, so did we

[but we still]

whisper of summer, salt & flame
while buried by the sea

-a.sanjari.

[for d.h]

his hands
must have shaken
yesterday
beads of sweat may
or may not have
clustered
around his eyes.

one hand
outweighed
the other:

lead weight

maybe he heard shouting
maybe it was his
maybe it was quiet
maybe :

he was still

he hurt more
[than us]
more
than melodrama
allowed

RIP Derek Paul Hicks.
22 January 1983-2 April 2007
you will be missed.

in which he curled his fingers through my hair long enough for me to notice

i wish i could find a tone
nonchalant enough to tell you
how much i wish you'd never
have let go.
in such a casual manner
to where the words would
strike you but i would hear
no verbal counter.
to where you'd wonder
how much of you is
still inside of me & dare
to ask.
after which i would reply
the tide does not vanish
seaside stones but turns them to
glittering sand.

Credits: Dave April for Photography

the.meaning.of.life

wet grass brushes my ankles in
an attempt to wash off guilt
from my supporting features.

he asked with his hands if i liked
to hurt. i said "yes mister but make it
quick. i have appointments to keep."

sunrises & pollutants go hand in
hand. it only makes sense that which is
capable of beauty is capable of murder.

-28 march 2007-

Credits: Dave April for Photography.