I don’t feel that soles are attached underneath my feet,
When an infant’s first footprints take an ant’s last heartbeats. 
It’s construction for the sake of deconstructive retreat;
Man made sidewalks out of one-way streets.

Arms outstretched and solitary,
I am like the tree --
Saddest when it’s blazing bright and rooted in concrete,
And as it burns, discern the stares of feigned concern from
Everyone who’s standing around.
 
I lie down on sordid ground below a tree to sleep,
Lose my name in what I came from, roots, my back as feet.
Feeling bitten by a hidden foe I’ll never see, it’s
Back indoors where air conditions me.

Temperate and marked by memory, 
I sing of myself.
To say what I’m not is to define everything else,
And once my words are turned to mimed musical verse they
Transcend thoughts on which they were found.

I just flip on television for some company,
Glowing lights flash -- in a contrast -- signal not to think. 
Struck with sudden panicked hunger for what I can’t eat, I
Open the fridge and remove a drink.


Song Of Myself (demo)

Some walk away and never look back
Like movie stars they learn how to act
Live on a set, then burn it to ash. Fade it to black.

The Solo cup in my left hand shakes
As you arrive at your party late.
I smile and plan a humorous “hey.” This plan will break.

Life won’t bend to your script’s action
Or a scripture’s prophecy.
Both are entertaining factions,
Splitting personalities. 

Young, bright-eyed people fill up the bar
Like candy in a transparent jar.
Estimate how alone they all are. Won’t get you far.

A curvy spirit sits on my thigh,
Weighed down with wine ironically dry.
Takes me to depths where characters lie. Red tongue and eyes.

Life won’t bend to your script’s action,
High times only your brain sees.
Thoughts are racing without traction,
Making sport of reverie.

No peace comes when you premeditate.
Idea as childish as a blank slate --
Tabula rasa layered like plates. Fault lines will quake.


Faulty Lines (demo)

The first time I saw your face, I wondered 
If it was real or if it was clay.
And how could a deity be so inspired
To forge something he’ll never touch?
You’re just like a mathematical Sunday --
Calculated and prepared for.
Since they built an altar to you, you think he’s jealous
Of your unfair proximity?

I know I’ve been waiting around in another time,
A world static and green.
I know I’ve been waiting around in another time... 
Our spoken words on a chalkboard that I’ve erased but traces I still see.

If I ever walk your way, will you bother
To bare your teeth in harmony? 
It’s like the land’s suspended underwater
With doors and windows floating past.
My heart carries a lot of weight: you’re the anchor 
That drags and trips my stumbling feet.
And if I ever can escape... who am I kidding?
The brain’s a yo-yo with many strings.

I know I’ve been waiting around on another time,
Where hands will freeze like heat.
I know I’ve been waiting around on another time.
A war-time shock of broken clocks that melt into a heavily glued dream. 

Like the force that molded you, I’ve retired
To stoic observation points.
If you were to cross my line of vision,
I hope I’d jump down from my mountain, 
Stably land, but I’d probably just stand there, 
Because I’ve forgotten how to talk to you.

[melodic moaning]


I've Forgotten How To Talk To You (demo)

Everyone’s talkin, but no one has nothin to say
Talkin like hot air will blow all the specters away
Boredom can syphon a year to a day

Funnel clouds form from the cold breath of ghosts who remain
Draining the guilt down from heaven into Southern states
Rob ‘em of life, they’ll continue to pray
In silent speeches, keep others estranged

Strange early light, feel jaded, guess I’ll just kiss the ol’
Harmonica because it’s the lone thing that still takes my cold breath away

Ol’ Billboard Jesus with his picture perfect hair saves
Strapping young fellows from making it to second base
Arms are spread out, but he’s not calling “safe”

Girls with a twirl of their sun dresses duly attain
Power meant only for sultans and others that swing
Alpha begins where the omega wanes
Somethin’ ‘bout fathers who give more than take

Strange early light, feel jaded, guess I’ll just kiss the ol’
Harmonica because it’s the lone thing that still takes my cold breath away

Boy and a guitar, an affected country display
Shooting at stars, empty beer cans he mentions by name
From the Deep South but he doesn’t hunt prey
Who cannot kill cannot comprehend fate

Strange early light, feel jaded, guess I’ll just kiss the ol’
Harmonica because it’s the lone thing that still takes my cold breath 

Boy and a guitar, an affected country display


Affected Country Display (demo)

Eyes awake and lit for more than morning (more than morning)
Iris blue, pilot light keeps them warming (keeps them warming)
Smoke around her lids derives from pure butane
In between the spark and smoke she hides the flame

Takes her shelter under brows slow climbing (faster falling)
Never does it rain beneath that awning (neath that awning)
Not a pencil mark, but charcoal boldly placed
Gives a look much stronger than a painter’s gaze

Cheeks will rise like sunshines barely forming (barely forming)
In the East and West, their pink glow dawning (pink glow dawning)
If her lips should bud to white tulip bouquets
Understand for you she has undressed her face

Certain curvy traits elude my drawing (lewd, my drawing)
Ears -- obscured by hair -- that miss their calling (miss their calling)
From her crown the hair parts just off center stage
Falls in charming strands that used to be wild snakes

But don’t you ever look away
(La la la la la la)
Romance wasn’t built in a day


Polyanna (demo)

Carve your name onto a lovely lotus
Walk you to the pond where it is floating
You remark that you prefer red roses
While you check your reflection I note this...in bold pen.

And you don’t even take the time to notice.

Read intently your short piece on Faustus
Give you feedback in the style of a chauvinist
Oh my goddess, you don’t know what a joke is.
I’m so intellectually potent...and soulless.

And you don’t even take the time to notice.

Haven’t eaten since your magnum opus.
Hunger artists eat their words to subsist.
Now my rib cage bars instead of protects
A heart that dangles like a carrot -- frozen in protest.

And you don’t even take the time to notice.

[No’s]

Ticked and timeless, I have found a hostess
Someone else who’s keen on symbiosis.
Her blue eyes cross out your lack of focus. 
On my face you’ll find no kind condolence...or solace.

And you don’t even take the time to notice. 


Griffin and Jack