this is the story this is the story
you hear on the nightly news
and say, "what a shame, i knew her"
such promise! such promises doled
out between the water bearers
beginning to understand body
that is, body slowly becoming
real, the first step i took was yesterday 
feel, the footsteps coming faster now
ba bump ba bump ba bump ba bump ba bump

living in relation
is all i really
wanted to do 

my station:
learn to luv
like lily
licks land 

loving in revolution
is all i really
wanted to do

my solution:
dine as tho
dying young was
dead certain

the life i sing
about in song 
says: so what?

so what so what
soweto
so what so what
santiago
so what so what
san cristobal 
so what so what
so what now? 

pretty little 
sippy cup
slipped right
under the table!

silly girl
saw snakes
in the river

i ate
your hand 
in marriage

loveless-lithe
lizard brain like
licking pain

organ made
of bones, yes
bones

viva la
lucha mama

every day
is a nude
painting

yo-yo
to return
ya-ya

ogle all
you want
 to die 

up ye 
cretins
up!!

Swing lo
Stylistically 
Bring back bugs 
Long hugs w/ dirt
Bathe in grime
Steamy pies & putridly 
Stupidly smart 
To start again
Swing lo 
Stylistically 

uncle was an artist
to crack-cocaine
uncle was an artist
anger did him in
uncle was an artist
auto-didact and dangerous
hands were good fast
movements that brought
beauty of our people
in struggle
switchblade to the neck
my uncle was an artist
but ain't no looking back 

What can we see today
to be for you or me 
Today to be today?

What can we hear today
prayer or play for thee
Today to be today? 

What can we feel today
to seal or steal
Today to be today? 

aspirational love
is not
provisional love
is not
is love not life
not crystal dove 
released?

did yr love not cease
unceasingly?
every day
is not love
life? is not
an aspiration
is not love
a provisional one

I get to be on earth (with you)
It's true! I get to be here (w you)

I broke a promise recently
To Attend yr stupid book club
Wouldn't be the first time
There were better things to do
Like bide my time on the porch
Make strange remarks to my neighbors
Alley cats pose for my camera
Recoil from my insistent whisperings 

Go right on spinning
Top go right on
Spinning go right on
Spinning
Top
And don't you dare stop