Calypso

I want to stand at the edge of the universe
the red-black calypso
waiting-always-waiting
where words can be so sharply tasted and
morphine tar is only
one
step
behind
I want to breathe, to scream, and drink as the world
falls apart apart apart
and know
your hands on my stomach
chin on my shoulder
ten fingers tightly twined
I am safe
I am bright and beloved
I am yours
as all other things crackle and
die

Beethoven Whispers

Smooth, smooth, a trickling descent,
A shine, a glance, a sigh.
Dipping each too-thick fingertip
Into pearl-scented longing,
Into dusty vanilla dreams.

Alive and asleep,
Cascade, slip, trip, fall.
Lifted and plummeted,
Snowfall and raven,
Crystalline discordance crackles.

Here I find love,
Coaxing oh-so-sweetly love from
Clumsy keys.
Debussy, Mozart, Clementi,
Oh, unravel me your secrets!

Piano flight, piano voice, Beethoven beauty.
Tonal whisper, with me forever.
Hush, child, hush.
You were always meant
Always meant
Always meant
To be
Alone.

Smell of tarnished paper,
A yellowed edge,
Long-forgotten staffs and stems.
My name, Yeong:
Eternity,
Alone within this.

I belong to blue-aurora water,
Swaying seaweed.
I belong to autumn phoenix fire,
Bright decay.
I belong to music, to music,
All the voices of the earth!

Let me be a part of love,
Of harmonic symphonic and
Atonal love, the
Sweet Discordance.

What cost, Ludwig, Johann, Maurice,
Forsaking mortal love for that
Eternal song?
Only your humanity, child.
Only your humanity.