VIGNETTES I

© 1997, 1999 Clinton Cyril Somerton

in the sitting chair
tap tap twitch
shaved
nerves
clean bare hands

grin paralyzed
as if it knows the language
stiff creased shirt
pretends the name isn't
gone

without trying
I hear your noises
while a torrent of never-played roles
fades behind my pouring eyes
safe from ever seeing

passion
teeming louder than thundergod
recites a sigh
the echo of loss
over silent confessions

head sways
gently from
never to
tomorrow
aware across the window searching twilight

*****