It wasn’t until we left the casino
that I began Begging Lessons. Even
now, my lips won’t speak to each other.
Trying to decide on sole or flounder.
The harbor sloshes in pearly galoshes.
The air, thick. The bathroom door sticks.
Tuesday relaxes in its smoking jacket.
Giving fire a haircut.
Listening to “The Cuckoo” by Respighi,
I depend on winks from the Sphinx.
All the chimaera dance to my tune
in their pursuit of the present.
Let us be measured by devotion.
NO VACANCY fills our vision.
Jeffrey Cyphers Wright is a publisher, critic, eco-activist, impresario, and artist, best known as a New Romantic, Surrealist poet. He is author of 17 books of verse, including Blue Lyre from Dos Madres Press and Party Everywhere from Xanadu. Recent poetry is in New American Writing, Sensitive Skin, Posit, and Big City Lit. Wright formerly ran Cover Magazine for 15 years. He is a Contributing Editor to Local Knowledge Magazine and reading series. He has hosted numerous events in New York at La Mama, KGB Lit Bar, and Howl! Happening. Art and literary criticism appear in ArtNexus and American Book Review. Currently he publishes Live Mag!, a journal of art and poetry. He’s a Kathy Acker Award winner for poetry and publishing, winner of Theater for the New City’s poetry contest, two-time Pushcart Prize nominee, and two-time artist-in-residence at eMediaLoft.
www.jeffreycypherswright.com