Weld produces a yellow dye
so it is known as Dyer’s Weed
among other local names –
but forever it will be an alien
in your North American fields …/
This sweated disease
follows me – streaming
from her hip-rucking
bent-to rippled mounds… /
Discard anything
that gathers dust
Do not drink alone
Do not fall in love… /
To the cyclist who
nearly ran me down –
as I checked my step
upon Firle Beacon… /
Let us forget
their faltering war
of shatterings –
of splinterings
of run-from-shops
blown high-to-dust
by others’ drops
of barrel bombs… /
You have found
a preferred supplier
My observance
is contracted out… /
Our pew is set for untouchables –
we watch through a hewn leper squint
That tunneled sightline was gouged
by dust-bitten youth and old men… /
Never write
about your sweated dreams
or sleep beyond each sunrise
You will not shake off
those fallacious night beads …/