1.
Could I erode
that ridge
between rib
and hip
the fluids
the cells
the squelch of organs
cannot exonerate
It is not this body
you erase
each incarnation
changeless
fluid
cell
beyond touch
beyond retribution
2.
There was a meteor shower
the Orionid
One flashed
between the flick of lighter
and cigarette tip
an ember
streaking home
its others all swallowed
in the gloam of pool
and night-light palm
I want to be the kind of man
who leaves the city
to see a meteor
3.
The embalmer
sets our skin
behind museum glass
the organs warm
set out for the hounding
street dogs
retrospect
they revise
strong sound
chambers
to scrap
not a murmur
a whimper
or nothing
4.
I want to be the kind of man
who leaves the city
to see a meteor
All our Orionids
are swallowed
in my breath
if I could nourish
translucence
I might show you
their gleam again
I would cure them
behind museum glass
I would score them out
and hang them back
I want to be the kind of man
Joseph Langdon will be one of four poets — the others are Dawn-Michelle Baude, Jamison Crabtree and Erica Vital-Lazare — who read their work during "Poetry in the Dark" at The Writer's Block, 8p, August 27. The poets will read in complete darkness. Reserve your seat at thewritersblock.org.