from THE UNCERTAIN FUTURE


'This poem never ends and tomorrow
is waiting to get its words in.'
- David H.W. Grubb, 'This Poem Never Ends'


'Everything is surface and appearance.
To be is to be perceived.'
- Steven Shapiro, Connected


'I like to satisfy the crowd with absences'
- Peter Dent, 'Sort and Classify'



FOOD CHAIN

absolute isolation days empty by design
an edge an iridescence difference & change defined
understanding social space real people's lives
combine materials produced jazz on weekday nights

blanks & dots inserted landmarks along the way
learning to read language applied geology
certain of the future gauze where eye should be
mapping the human coastline mental activity

overburdened by weight of vision squatting on railway land
rusted bolts on Brunel's bridge influence & change
the public never consulted forces outside control
count the cost of trespass international youth revolt

give everyone permission control your human face
co-operative decisions please appear to dance
cognition & perception introduce yourself
verbal integration that for now is all





JANUARY MORNING

silver tide horizon flooded silver fields
went for a long morning walk gloves & hat required
remind myself where we now live why we moved down here
abandoned boats and mudflats new grass on the quay

wind effects & structures maps drawn & thrown away
housing works in situ our conservation zone
fast expanding village never-ending work
living without tension collateral damage done

entertain enigmas friends who never call
same familiar paintings hung on our new walls
books I love on my shelves the same old lack of time
no sense of identity what is or isn't mine

themes & variations burnt-out nervous system
conversation & discussion answers in the wind
collapsing ecosystem I know who I am
wrote this without flinching knowing who I am





QUESTIONS WILL BE ASKED

reach beyond the metaphor to actual transformation
attempt a kind of portraiture grasp the instant light
photo image of a star imprinted on your psyche
all of them good looking go out & press the flesh

idiotic yet industrial gigs were such a waste
recurring chord progression audiences yelled abuse
multimedia panic autographed CDs
words & images conspire the story never leaves

old council donkey-jacket a confused startled look
an end to private property things moving much too fast
conspiracy & violence bombs on the top deck
it's not like I want trouble it just seemed a good idea

I don't know why or remember how I simply never cared
always wanted to conquer the world despite our different tastes
songs with childlike insistence 'oh baby I love you'
not perceived by human gaze stopped time coming true





YOUNGSTER

a certain pattern promised a circle still concealed
ash & bone on shoreline dancing out-of-breath
bubblegum in the playground a calendar of kids
cosmic pebbles & diamond dreams crocuses in flower

there are devils in my attic conscience has disappeared
old habits in a sunbeam dried-out paper leaves
fiery plume at sunset rain collected in a pool
tiny evergreen footprints songs that make god dance

words in perpetual motion music's sacred sound
tumbleweed & corral sourdough & playhouse gold
a miracle a guiding hope intersecting paths
perfumed dust & sunlight no-one else is home

house absorbing moonbeams all of me is gone
destiny & promises rainbows raindrops stars
remember me remember me whispers resurrection
dance on wormwood rafters in the country of desire


© Rupert M Loydell 2007