Dew drips from tall trees on a clear summer night
in the hills to the south a cuckoo calls
the widow next door comforts her child
I turn in bed and wait for the first light

translated by Red Pine

cut loose means
to let go
as in letting go of a person
of a group of people
one’s feelings change
not for the better
or the worse
just different
bar none means
without exception
I cut them loose
bar none
crumbling means
falling apart
not quickly
but gradually
as if termites
infected the house
the walls began to crumble
so that one had to abandon
that particular domicile
or one’s home
the place of residence
negotiations meaning
a compromise
trying to find the middle ground
if at all possible
when people are phony
it means not real, fake
than there can be no relief
or let up
and the only consolation
is a pat on the back
a sorry, sport
better luck next time
doomed means
it is over
to lose forever
whatever one had
or was under the illusion
of having
has become scarce
as in disappeared
leaving…

try to stay awake
that’s the plan anyway
and so there is movement
drinks in a bar
dinner in a dimly lit place
conversation vague enough
to be mildly interesting
but not revealing
the face attractive
the body appealing
there is a warmth here
that could soothe an aching heart
this is keeping the ghosts at bay
and the present present
in a life in a holding pattern
waiting for that special someone
who may never appear
to talk of books and poetry
theatre and film
of living a life of meaning
beyond the balance sheet
of things that really matter
not safe but dangerously alive
instead of just killing time
trying to find a way
to coast home

Push that little
thing up and the
other right down.
It’ll work.