Saturday, January 24, 2026

How I Do It

How I Do It 

On the wall beside me, the Jungian circle

of characters masking-taped 

so when I'm in the midst 

of a poem 

confused,

a pinch 

panicked 


as I am now


I have a wheel


with names

of who might be 


taking center stage: sage

jester     hero innocent lover     everyman


To myself I say, who is this speaking? Are you

an outlaw craving an upset 


because of too much stillness? Well I can 

add a wind


to burn the skin of a man 

in a snow storm aching 


to be free of his crackle parents 

who have asked him


to have kids. Get off my back!

he screams and runs into the sun


grasping the hand of his woman 

who is less sure than he 


and glances over 

her shoulder 


seeking the parents' 

eyes to make sure they know she knows


she’s sorry

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