THE ILLUSION

Consider our mad loves:
J's for B that he only knew after
she ripped out the hook. Smell rain
and whose name do you say? G and R
seem okay but A's ripping the cover off
T's book, the cashier then asking if
he'd like a damage discount and who
doesn't deserve a damage discount?
The heart itself apparently
can be eaten, singed on a bed
of baby greens. Half step, half step,
clap, throw the hive upon the lap.
A silver head floats in the corn.
At least M has his daughter.
A silver head floats at the portal.
Like a dried gourd, the rattle K makes.
The dream bread falls through the dream
hands. Two seconds it took you to do
what you did to me. Here's a breast,
an eye. Here's a necessity.
Flinchclatter dovespun sundrove
heartsprung and sometimes the wreckage
assumes recognizable shapes.
Sure it does. Touch this. Maybe
your father was right to hate me.
I was running as fast as I could.
Maybe faster.
Forever and forever and forever.



© 2001 DEAN YOUNG

It’s late winter and I’m in the rut of all ruts, but today three people I love and haven’t spoken to in months or years all hit me up without clear cause or prompting and those types of wild, random, redemptive things can make you want to entertain the notion that there might be some sort of keeling, reckless sense to the world’s happenings, even if just idly or for a moment.