from Loki Is Buried at Smoky Creek
Fred Wah

MOON DOG

the dog barks
on another street

two dogs bark
& the one in the sky

the stars
all bark at

the moon

stop yapping
and it hides in the mountains

THE CANOE, TOO

there is all that talk about northern waters
lakes with canoes sliding silently over the cold glass surfaces
      in the moonlight
and a mountain rising to the moon in its ice and snow
the rocky shore and its cold dry branches of driftwood waiting
for you to return alone in the still night
shimmering darkness

there is all that talk of this
and the mind wanders there in a canoe language carries
like a picture framing you in the black ice water

there is all this kind of talk and you listen to the words

the nothern lakes freeze
over the ice snow covers the valley
      and all the trees

HOW TO BE SOMETHING

dream about it
get the head back
into the body into
remembering
skin
imprint of shape
into inside
and look at what you do to yourself
say "mmmm"
remembering
don[base ']t move
let yourself be caught
catch
move
very fast
as fast as you can
as you can
(more & more & interview)

:: note :: . . . gave these words to workshop participants . . . it seemed to fit the work . . .