phantom tongues revenge
f l o a t i n g o o z e with shark and
law torture noxious dis-
ease. diseased water.
shipfrottagefrottagefrottage
queershipkinshipbabblebabel
blackeffluviasickness
insanitystolenphilosophy
kinblackstolen
shipblackfrottagefrottageshit
soreshipsoresickblackkin
melancholia and salt
over
board human despair
deportation
terrorterrorterror
thirst
_____________
jayydodd 2013
your body is like a hymm, I hum along, i catch your tone, i keep it strong
in a whisper, in song, i hum along i catch you
as it dances in my ears, like a breeze over years
wet with tears in a whisper, in a song I catch you
I remember when the seasons changed.
Smoking cigarettes with borrowed chocolate
on make shift balcony. You noticed
wintry mix as we compare pretentious roommates
to Woody Allen tropes.
His witty girlfriend, saying witting things
playing vinyls during sex.
Sage smoke fills the den masking the
linger of tabacco. It was warmer now
and we opened a window.
For the longest time
I assumed your name was Patches,
however you were Irish. Your eyes
and hair the same tawny hazel brown.
In wee hours on weekdays,
you chain smoke on the balcony
and all too often
I join you.
“I hope we aren’t doing this in five years”
“What?”
“Sitting around smoking at 3am”
“It wouldn’t be the worst”
“Yeah”
jay dodd 2013
Spring rain allows warm wind
to blanket through bedside window
perched mouth drags bitter
sweet humming tenor sax
broken speakers soul.
Wind invokes lingering smoke
hesitant slow drawing haze
to safe distant places
spring terrors mix
white sage and memory.
jay dodd 2013
He didn’t understand me when I said
I will sort of love you forever.
In the right light, whether
in crowded, basement or
California kickback with
friends from middle school.
The knowing glances
illuminates the echoes in the
temples I erected in
your temporary honor.
Though ruins, and for most overgrown,
you passing me lukewarm
beer reminds me
of all the midnight incantations
I prayed for you.
Even if you I don’t notice
your every move, the very sound of
your voice squirms through
the you shaped hole in my heart.
There is never one I don’t remember loving.
Desire and regret haunting
the yesterday of fantasy.
jay dodd 2013
Heavenly rivers blue rupture
grey plains of shaded cloud.
Spring saying, “I am here.”
Let us hear Spring beckoning
from the reach’s sky
conjuring shower songs
of the equinox.
Also the intimacies
that have shifted
call upon nuanced dances as
the time and seasons
percolate.
(Source: jayydodd)
I dream of you with sky looks sick,
grey, melancholia. When it is twisted
and haunting as remnants of steel wool.
Brooding in the distance, thick, heavy
with thunder.Chilled wind warns
of the coming storm.
I once found rest in the valley, safe,
desolate. Yet, your thunder has
awakened the earth. Disturbed
barren pastures with fresh anointing.
Feed,
satiate the roots.
When the sky breaks,
traces of the sun wake
from noon-day slumber.2013 jayydodd
I saw a picture of her
with paisley bikini and
grape shaped earrings.
She wasn’t even smiling.
I remember her slight grimace.
She smiles at me now
that I know her better.
I know the dog painting
in her kitchen
and her plain, black beanie with
BEYONCE
embroidered in white block letters.
However, it is this afternoon
that I fell in love.
The patchwork quilted sweater
ignores the subtleties of her frame.
I can barely see your name
in gold hanging around your neck.
Innocuous and mine, you shared
your grimace.
Frustrated with your crossword
for less than a breath,
we met eyes and and you shared
one of your secrets.
I knew you all over again.
(2013 Jay Dodd)
The couch cushions were half missing,
and the room smelled of sage.
Jackets and sweaters and scarves
and lighters shrewn about.
Emptied out cigarettes nest
with food boxes and beer bottle caps.
We have stolen extra chairs
(from somewhere)
and made a fort in the spare room.
We sit in the round
not speaking but listening.
And I detest you, in that moment,
pale and slight and
blonde
You control the sounds
songbird saxophone and passive piano
fill the quiet, and I fume in the corner.
Cradled in holey dorm chair,
blood thick with herbal remedy
I boil at your jazz, in this moment.
The other boys play video games
oblivious.
For a long moment, you leave the room
and I consider…
However, the stillness. Boys
in virtual worship, and I
in melancholic reprise cannot move.
The rupture too great.
(2013 Jay Dodd)
When I write to you, I assume
you’ve lost my voice. That you
seem to have forgotten
my timbre, rhythm.
It is the same sort of
doubt one has about the
day of the week. Passing,
strange yet after small
exchange, we’re back.
(2013 Jay Dodd)
