The Latency

four beers and two ciders
on that I can make a night of it
rather an unhealthy night, I’ll admit
but health is just another choice
and maybe tonight I’ll swoop up into air
but I might still descend to calamity

I can defend myself
defend my inaction
to those who aren’t here

can lay attempts atop their altars
and make squirms in the sand
around them

can stand my insurrection
be happy at the flow
can carry myself beyond this room
this night
and make some connection that I wouldn’t
have otherwise banked on
with love for everything
but just for a second

(1996)