Smoke and Mirrors
Thick smoke
everywhere tonight
around town.
Like walking
through a smoke screen.
I was on
the far north side.
The air was heavy
and smoky.
Then on the South side
it was worse.
I'm down
about midway now.
Downtown on Broadway
and it is much better.
A breeze
off the river
may be
blowing it back from
me now.
There's a citywide ban
on burning out doors.
So I suspect
this smoke
is blowing over
from Fort Benning again.
-Will Dockery (May 2020)
Wednesday, November 10, 2021
In the Days of '99
In the Days of '99
At first there were my words
I stood onstage to deliver them
the buzz grew
and I grew with it
walking it
talking it
creating and comparing mythology.
Over the years
most often than not
poetry performance
evolved into a group effort
but this was not immediate
or overnight.
I'd take the stage
for my set
several of the newest poems
and some older favorites
cold call with my back pages
and microphone.
By 1998 the process was
poetry backed by music
having discussed
with interested musicians
to remain onstage
contributing
improvisational riffs.
A decade later
collective contributions grew
it was when contribution
grew into collaboration.
-Will Dockery (2020)
At first there were my words
I stood onstage to deliver them
the buzz grew
and I grew with it
walking it
talking it
creating and comparing mythology.
Over the years
most often than not
poetry performance
evolved into a group effort
but this was not immediate
or overnight.
I'd take the stage
for my set
several of the newest poems
and some older favorites
cold call with my back pages
and microphone.
By 1998 the process was
poetry backed by music
having discussed
with interested musicians
to remain onstage
contributing
improvisational riffs.
A decade later
collective contributions grew
it was when contribution
grew into collaboration.
-Will Dockery (2020)
"All's Well at the Well at World's End"
"All's Well at the Well at World's End"
I've seen many warnings
that the end is near.
Sometimes they seem to come
once or twice a year.
"The End is near!"
From street preachers yelling
to new age hippies chanting.
The end is always certain doom
and coming quickly.
"Take this, brother, may it serve you well."
The visions of zombies
I watched with Katherine and Tammy
in Summer 1978.
In the movie theater
out at Fort Benning.
"From the land of fire and ice..."
Comic book Ragnarok
set off when Balder was slain
by a mistletoe arrow.
As Christ was speared
with the dogwood lance.
"Just one drop of water in the lake of fire."
I've always known
as my Grandmother told me
He, and the end,
will come like
a thief in the night.
She said no water this time
but fire and brimstone.
"Riding a pale horse..."
And when a man
figures out the date
of the end
God will simply
change his plans.
So, for now...
"God put the Rainbow in the sky."
-Will Dockery (2020)
I've seen many warnings
that the end is near.
Sometimes they seem to come
once or twice a year.
"The End is near!"
From street preachers yelling
to new age hippies chanting.
The end is always certain doom
and coming quickly.
"Take this, brother, may it serve you well."
The visions of zombies
I watched with Katherine and Tammy
in Summer 1978.
In the movie theater
out at Fort Benning.
"From the land of fire and ice..."
Comic book Ragnarok
set off when Balder was slain
by a mistletoe arrow.
As Christ was speared
with the dogwood lance.
"Just one drop of water in the lake of fire."
I've always known
as my Grandmother told me
He, and the end,
will come like
a thief in the night.
She said no water this time
but fire and brimstone.
"Riding a pale horse..."
And when a man
figures out the date
of the end
God will simply
change his plans.
So, for now...
"God put the Rainbow in the sky."
-Will Dockery (2020)
She Sleeps Tight
She Sleeps Tight
Sleeps so tight
she has a marksman's eye.
Maker's mark
tattoo firewater spine.
Leather shoes
but nowhere to go.
Dice and coins
scattered in the snow.
Dice and coins
scattered in the snow.
Won't be long,
until I see her face.
She's waiting
in an undisclosed place.
I've been conspired
banned from my muse.
This won't stick
poor boy's all confused.
This won't stick
poor boy's all confused.
In Salem town
she keeps her chin so high.
Darkened breeze
she smiles as I roll by.
Step inside
she looks for tables left.
Wink at time
nothing lasts except yourself.
Wink at time
nothing lasts except yourself.
Like a Steamboat
she plans to roll on down.
To the Gulf
out of this dirty town.
Copper mesh
kept stuffed in a jar.
Sharp cold hit
turning wine to water.
Sharp cold hit
turning wine to water.
We know him
eye deed by his ship.
In a trap
a kind of goosechase trip.
Whiskey fumes
and stale gunsmoke.
Sunk and drowned
with all her knives and jokes.
Sunk and drowned
with all her knives and jokes.
Sleeps so tight
she has a marksman's eye.
Maker's mark
tattoo firewater spine.
Leather shoes
but nowhere to go.
-Will Dockery (September 2009)
Sleeps so tight
she has a marksman's eye.
Maker's mark
tattoo firewater spine.
Leather shoes
but nowhere to go.
Dice and coins
scattered in the snow.
Dice and coins
scattered in the snow.
Won't be long,
until I see her face.
She's waiting
in an undisclosed place.
I've been conspired
banned from my muse.
This won't stick
poor boy's all confused.
This won't stick
poor boy's all confused.
In Salem town
she keeps her chin so high.
Darkened breeze
she smiles as I roll by.
Step inside
she looks for tables left.
Wink at time
nothing lasts except yourself.
Wink at time
nothing lasts except yourself.
Like a Steamboat
she plans to roll on down.
To the Gulf
out of this dirty town.
Copper mesh
kept stuffed in a jar.
Sharp cold hit
turning wine to water.
Sharp cold hit
turning wine to water.
We know him
eye deed by his ship.
In a trap
a kind of goosechase trip.
Whiskey fumes
and stale gunsmoke.
Sunk and drowned
with all her knives and jokes.
Sunk and drowned
with all her knives and jokes.
Sleeps so tight
she has a marksman's eye.
Maker's mark
tattoo firewater spine.
Leather shoes
but nowhere to go.
-Will Dockery (September 2009)
The Science Ladies
The Science Ladies
Weariness, soon to be picked up anew
there was the Spaniard
and he told a tale of blood anew.
"No more fictitious words
no more underhanded tactics done up..."
The words were spoken seriously to him
but the words are spoken as if forced
and Mary turned out to be a man.
She said that she was really burned out
so seductive and strange.
He said "Where is the man with the preludes?"
The Science Ladies
inhabiting the length of soul.
The grey things
inhabiting the
where the lumber was kept.
Particles that were stinging my lungs.
The godly seal, the grey seal, will dissolve.
400 years, 800 years of slavery.
She showed me where I had to go
told me what I had to know.
And as she told me
the land was being pelted with snow.
Answers like seeds being dispersed into the breeze.
The Science Ladies
wandering inside my soul.
She stood there
with a handful of gleaming seeds.
She opened her eyes to me.
We stood on the marsh of reeds
the understanding of the ages
would grow in my mind from this point in my childhood.
The Science Ladies
inhabiting the length of soul.
-Will Dockery (1982)
Weariness, soon to be picked up anew
there was the Spaniard
and he told a tale of blood anew.
"No more fictitious words
no more underhanded tactics done up..."
The words were spoken seriously to him
but the words are spoken as if forced
and Mary turned out to be a man.
She said that she was really burned out
so seductive and strange.
He said "Where is the man with the preludes?"
The Science Ladies
inhabiting the length of soul.
The grey things
inhabiting the
where the lumber was kept.
Particles that were stinging my lungs.
The godly seal, the grey seal, will dissolve.
400 years, 800 years of slavery.
She showed me where I had to go
told me what I had to know.
And as she told me
the land was being pelted with snow.
Answers like seeds being dispersed into the breeze.
The Science Ladies
wandering inside my soul.
She stood there
with a handful of gleaming seeds.
She opened her eyes to me.
We stood on the marsh of reeds
the understanding of the ages
would grow in my mind from this point in my childhood.
The Science Ladies
inhabiting the length of soul.
-Will Dockery (1982)
Thursday, October 7, 2021
Left Handed Summer
Left Handed Summer
Left handed Summer
alias Uncle Hugo.
I step out
into this night.
Those parasites know
of the light
that failed.
Imploded in the center
of op bop.
In this shadow made
by blooming springtime.
In this shadow
next to this last temptation.
I walked into your door
will I never see her
any more?
I see two
little red boxcars
I think of her
I hurt inside
a hallowed ache.
Games people play
one game on the house
dark angel in green.
Every little trick
she plays
scarecrow straw Janie.
There are three names now
for Lady Katherine
I saw the way.
Remember
the living lotus
in her paste up hell.
I am the clown
on the hill.
She still
plies her trade
in the sporting house
grocery.
I read the bio
of her husband
the ogre.
His world
his fame
his flame.
And I think of:
star money
secret star
Sweet Jane
superstar.
Star mama
some glad morning
you are my
satellite soul mate.
On Vinegar Hill
marriage a la mode
a case of need.
The bottom line
in deep Summer
endless horizons.
We hunt
the spirit mammoth
somewhere
below the salt.
This is the story
of a secret state
in this left handed Summer
in this valley of vines.
Sweet Lasher went swimming
in the dark river
with a bad man
in the big heat.
Tigers in the smoke
she rides the red dragon.
Too many cousins
dancing naked in La Grange.
She's one of seven
born again virgins.
she steps out
she is lost to me.
That strange woman
she's into soul bonding
soul bondage.
Where is my
red curled poltergeist
she's clocked,
boom boom in my ear.
Some Japanese thing
Lone Wolf
I snarl at the moon.
Moonchild experiment
watercolor
in the rain.
You poor little
kidnapped angel.
My poor little
clap trap angel.
My soul like
riptide water.
This abundance
of witches
you living lotus
bitches.
Uncle Hugo is in Eden
the old folks home
of joy and poems
dealing with this
ever present danger.
To the magic store
on some blinded date.
Into her labyrinth
and back out again
sweet soul pilgrim.
I know
my love
I can hear
her battle cry.
She returns to life
cries for the angels
a word shogun.
My daddy went blind at 40
but my will is good
on this glorious morning.
Bless your fuzzy little heart
baby
go sow your seeds
of mischief.
The doomsday ladies
hide and go seek
as they work
their science.
I asked my love
Dark Queenie
will you talk
in this left handed Summer?
Hard facts
a woman run mad.
In the caves
on the hill
under the sheets
experimenting
with the moon.
I keep
the search light
burning.
Face to face
with the misty tiger
in the smoke
she rides the red dragon.
Orphan daughter
of the philosopher
for common good.
A fiend in need
she is a perfect whirlwind.
Inhuman condition
I am alone for days.
I am nothing
to her now.
The ongoing silence
is driving me mad.
Her mirror mirror
on the wall.
My fingers
in her soft places.
Her modern mathematics
her pager number.
I light
the candle for her
and this big
world of people.
Silver leopard
led astray
from a magnificent destiny.
I am the foolish virgin
with my
magnificent obsession.
Law of the lion
I'll find her.
Bright feather
hot leather
magicians of night
and strutting ducks.
Loaded dice
she is there
in that secret
shadow valley.
Sweet adultery
under the moon.
The Dark Queen's gift
a riddle.
Please speak to me
before the sun goes down
the children
of the rainbow
do the dark dance.
-Will Dockery 1997
Left handed Summer
alias Uncle Hugo.
I step out
into this night.
Those parasites know
of the light
that failed.
Imploded in the center
of op bop.
In this shadow made
by blooming springtime.
In this shadow
next to this last temptation.
I walked into your door
will I never see her
any more?
I see two
little red boxcars
I think of her
I hurt inside
a hallowed ache.
Games people play
one game on the house
dark angel in green.
Every little trick
she plays
scarecrow straw Janie.
There are three names now
for Lady Katherine
I saw the way.
Remember
the living lotus
in her paste up hell.
I am the clown
on the hill.
She still
plies her trade
in the sporting house
grocery.
I read the bio
of her husband
the ogre.
His world
his fame
his flame.
And I think of:
star money
secret star
Sweet Jane
superstar.
Star mama
some glad morning
you are my
satellite soul mate.
On Vinegar Hill
marriage a la mode
a case of need.
The bottom line
in deep Summer
endless horizons.
We hunt
the spirit mammoth
somewhere
below the salt.
This is the story
of a secret state
in this left handed Summer
in this valley of vines.
Sweet Lasher went swimming
in the dark river
with a bad man
in the big heat.
Tigers in the smoke
she rides the red dragon.
Too many cousins
dancing naked in La Grange.
She's one of seven
born again virgins.
she steps out
she is lost to me.
That strange woman
she's into soul bonding
soul bondage.
Where is my
red curled poltergeist
she's clocked,
boom boom in my ear.
Some Japanese thing
Lone Wolf
I snarl at the moon.
Moonchild experiment
watercolor
in the rain.
You poor little
kidnapped angel.
My poor little
clap trap angel.
My soul like
riptide water.
This abundance
of witches
you living lotus
bitches.
Uncle Hugo is in Eden
the old folks home
of joy and poems
dealing with this
ever present danger.
To the magic store
on some blinded date.
Into her labyrinth
and back out again
sweet soul pilgrim.
I know
my love
I can hear
her battle cry.
She returns to life
cries for the angels
a word shogun.
My daddy went blind at 40
but my will is good
on this glorious morning.
Bless your fuzzy little heart
baby
go sow your seeds
of mischief.
The doomsday ladies
hide and go seek
as they work
their science.
I asked my love
Dark Queenie
will you talk
in this left handed Summer?
Hard facts
a woman run mad.
In the caves
on the hill
under the sheets
experimenting
with the moon.
I keep
the search light
burning.
Face to face
with the misty tiger
in the smoke
she rides the red dragon.
Orphan daughter
of the philosopher
for common good.
A fiend in need
she is a perfect whirlwind.
Inhuman condition
I am alone for days.
I am nothing
to her now.
The ongoing silence
is driving me mad.
Her mirror mirror
on the wall.
My fingers
in her soft places.
Her modern mathematics
her pager number.
I light
the candle for her
and this big
world of people.
Silver leopard
led astray
from a magnificent destiny.
I am the foolish virgin
with my
magnificent obsession.
Law of the lion
I'll find her.
Bright feather
hot leather
magicians of night
and strutting ducks.
Loaded dice
she is there
in that secret
shadow valley.
Sweet adultery
under the moon.
The Dark Queen's gift
a riddle.
Please speak to me
before the sun goes down
the children
of the rainbow
do the dark dance.
-Will Dockery 1997
Wednesday, October 6, 2021
Saint Augustine Blues (Chorus 7)
Saint Augustine Blues (Chorus 7)
Moon watching again tonight
sitting here alone.
Bittersweet here under the glow.
In this place where
this strange soft safe place.
The tide is in
a swiishing smashing
violence against the rocks.
Against the spot where
earloer I stood.
I now stand above it on the deck
and look down at its playful fury.
The waves are startlong to me
high tide rocks the shore.
I'm standing on this deck
over these waves
that threaten to cover me.
The waves pound
a cheap thrill
almost scary.
Big spashing waves
that would certainly take me away.
Full moon
almost hidden
by black blue and grey clouds.
The beach is hidden
battered by the agressive waves.
-Will Dockery (Summer 1997)
Moon watching again tonight
sitting here alone.
Bittersweet here under the glow.
In this place where
this strange soft safe place.
The tide is in
a swiishing smashing
violence against the rocks.
Against the spot where
earloer I stood.
I now stand above it on the deck
and look down at its playful fury.
The waves are startlong to me
high tide rocks the shore.
I'm standing on this deck
over these waves
that threaten to cover me.
The waves pound
a cheap thrill
almost scary.
Big spashing waves
that would certainly take me away.
Full moon
almost hidden
by black blue and grey clouds.
The beach is hidden
battered by the agressive waves.
-Will Dockery (Summer 1997)
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