March 19, 2011

Happy Anniversary (Patrick Stephens) by Frank Hinton

The meat is delicious and filling.
Shaken while raw.
I thought I saw cancer about the pink.
Wet of it. Bone pricks. Bone of it.

We’ve been together half of a year.
Your ecosystem
Is killing me.
You’re killing me Patrick.
Ghost Patrick. Smoke sucker.
Patrick Stephens has man-boobs.
There is no Patrick Stephens.

Brain’d a cheese whiz sandwich
Thumb Thumb Thumb.
A few people saw me do it, too.
I just watched American History X last week.
That’s why.
Not really. 

I can’t think of a single person
I’ve ever told the truth to.
This to life and then to this.
And over. 

Someone told me how to make beer
At a party. Last night.
Hops and barley and shit.
I forget everything the guy said.
And he was so compelling. 

Like a craps table.
Me and men.
7 in and out.  
Indeterminable duration of rounds.
Pure probability. Things in you
On you around you. Glitter debris.
Trash me.

Your cheeks are red.
Your dinner is cold.
I'm nagging again.

6 comments:

stephen said...

damn

i like it

frank

this line: "This to life and then to this."

arangelife said...

"glitter debris" is a really nice phrase

Jen Knox said...

I love that there's nothing delicate or light or frilly about it. It's hearty and rich and wonderful.

Unknown said...

:)

Cassandra Troyan said...

This is so good Frank.
Write more poetry.

Here is Joe McHugh said...

This gets right down to businesss. That forth line is kickass and I enjoy Your ecosystem / is killing me. The stanza with the beer guy is good too.