Ragas
by David Meltzer
Discovery Books, 1959
Prince Valiant
Your first presence
is that of a conman
down on his luck.
You cross on the ferry
and return
as it gets dark.
Heating a pair
of candlesticks
to warm the studio
I was to live
quite comfortably,
at the end
of each needle
to recieve my ghost.
I took out
a writing room also
among derelicts
who would pay
unwittingly
the highest prices
besides the apartments
for their dry cleaning
and drinks,
TOP OF THE MARK
soiled by each groom
till I reach the morgue,
One we can lean on
in our ascension
to heaven
to CHINA FIELDS
and the cufflinks
you had better
recognize
It was more
of an open invitation
and should
he care to appear,
good thing it was recorded.
His walking seaside,
his being punished
for talking indian.
A bronze bust
soon to be unveiled
in PIONEER SQUARE
The greatest
of all features
in its design ... Mercy.
The brass ring
and clear purple tomb
in a door knob.
from Stranger in Town
I had invested
alot in my first
walkthrough
the greatest
Marco Polo
single file
best roulette
There's a
bad moon
on the rise
and I've got
quite a stash,
rubbings from
the calligram
graves, I have
explained
their hollows
& brick
across where
it is written
in script,
YOUNG BLOOD
STRAIGHT EDGE
I was placed
in time out
impossibly
accurate
the fifth
wrist watch
diamond
on the 12
I have reached
the cave,
it has been
shot up
& I am
punished
to this day,
ruby under
black letter
-press
My name
goes first.
