Two Octets from Late November

tuesday inventory octet

monstera’s emerald leaves spill over clear
glass; behind the stove that spider has scarcely

advanced—you could say the small patch of open
sky east isn’t really blue & the puddle

reflects little—red bowl of oatmeal sweet with
honey & raisins, then two fish oil softgels;

coffee sludge at the bottom of a white mug:
tears almost sufficient for sixty autumns


◦    ◦    ◦


21st ave bridge octet

productive spasmodic cough; the razor wire’s
coiled threat where white-haired clematis multiples—

irregular cadence off I-84;
on the tracks green line east passes red line west:

billowing rush; two fluorescent light fixtures
derelict on the walkway under curved chain link—

behind the radio tower, white sun glare:
o merciful one, may words shine till the end


Jack Hayes
© 2016


11/29/16