Title: Sanctioned Sandman

Determined to conquer
this recurring event,
owed minutes if not hours;
wistful aspirations
escape as exhaled curses
filling up what can’t be emptied,
unable to reset working functions;
insolent sleep thieves destroy
intentions turned out to be
not that well thought-out,
picture-perfect becomes a blur;
better to map out static points
and leave with one in the hand.

Title: Leftovers

I should be there, tearing it down,
painting it red, raising hell,
chorus of a (long-time beached) whale song;

I should be spinning, sliding on a wet floor,
bruising and cruising, forgetting my name,
casually resting against the rail
where the weary stop to catch their breath;

I want to be there, leasing composure out,
the highest bidder can take a bite,
merciful but not gullible,
no consolation prizes for weak lines;

I have to work out the pros and cons,
the dos and don’ts, add up the cost,
the candle burns, the blaze surrounds
fancy visions of an old-time stance.

Title: Metal

Tin woman
where is your oil can?
fix yourself up
for a night of what once was
tricks and treats from
your mechanical jaw
let them stare and shove away
this space is yours
and no one else’s.

Rusty royalty, empress
of late night into dawn
you don’t need a crown, sceptre
or apologies to overthrow
untimely thieves; too late
for some, they come undone
but you shine through.

Title: Coconut

Where did it go?
Coconut.
Suet, nuts and worms,
Coconut.
Just string left,
Coconut.
Meant to share,
Coconut.
How about next time?
Coconut.
Glad it was nice,
Coconut
Easy access, easier graft,
Coconut.