5277. TERMINUS OF LOCAL CONTRADICTION

TERMINUS OF LOCAL CONTRADICTION

Not knowing well where to turn, I moved myself sideways

by contraction : local memories and stevedore hats, the

old mathematics of add and divide. Every contradiction 

brought me new moment, the terminus of all things local.

-

The only midnight star in the midnight sky is the one

I may recognize as 'I'. And isn't that always the way? 

We make our agreements, with self and with others,

to stand up and band ourselves girded for something

and ready. Some neighborhood judge comes

stumbling in, asking for tickets and money. A

terminus of local contradiction.

-

'Councilman, councilman, give your gloves and 

your daughters'  -  that's the local payoff these days. 

Every hallway voice in the light green dungeon is heard 

to echo and resound. By contract, the 'just-over-minimum-

wage' painter saunters along, to dawdle his drop and

his brush. 'I be's so happy, a'jez like dis; and dey gimme'

da money t'go on.' Sounds like a breakening thrall  -  

Blake's chimney-sweep and chartered streets 

got nothing on that at all. A terminus of

local contradiction.