83. asphalt

.

asphalt underlies so many

memorable longings and 

questionable lovers: basra,

madrid, montalban;

empty highway ninety-five

soaked in restless

sunlight and angry

ranchers’ dissatisfaction.

my roads, lift upon

.

lift, shift against a 

subbase poorly laid.

asphalts stretch, alligator

thin skins a clever tease… my

roads do not run on and on.

my roads do not 

wear out because they explode. 

basrah loops as a flash

bright as cordite,

one fox running all out, one

tree out there waiting.

.

asphalt just lifts.

my road fountains and settles 

back whole just in time to lift again, 

disintegrating and settling, silently

and again, loops of exploding

asphalt. 

.

how I 

at times do long for 

the men known, dead now or those

not quite dead, still here.

.