In the museum of life still labeled framed I stand with a rusty spout leaking
In the garden of life snakes coil around trees I covet Cradle conceive and deceive for mere profit
On an island of sound I dangle from trees To swing with dreams chiseled in brass laced tempi Mounting melancholy meager eager fissile remedy
On an ocean wave deafening to break I find my confessor ready to spray my story The agony of a board cracked in two My dry suit betrays its name three times Before the rooster can chime the church bells Ringing the Suns monotheistic mourners adieu.
Saturday evening in the park with Modeste I begrudge a troubadour cooling his feet in a fountain Collecting abandoned good-luck penny draped resolutions To guzzle down with beers, screaming neon lights blinking NY obscenities in coarse visual Morse code The gasping last breaths of redolent ducks Hanging in rows from hooks basted in Salmonella amandine Humming motors idling, honking, suffocating undeserted heat.
Bedros Afeyan 4-19-2009 Davies Symphony Hall