1)
I hear talk of alternative energy
even, alternative money
both should read ‘additional’


And they have made robots
By the brace, as in partridge
all holes, that gyrate by battery
but they’re dangerous on planes
or in camouflage
survival’s been bread out
by the cult of perfection

comfort, security, fear
the deal makers territory
of imaginary numbers
and consumer confidence

they’ll still give you a few light bulbs
when you pay your bill
but the office is too far
the line too long

justice is lonely
in the democratization of death
suicide or murder
box or urn



2)
he said,
— Este mundo es un desmadre total
y no tiene futuro.
¿Como estas optimista?
Mientras sí, tengo hijos pero...
(This world is all fucked-up
and doesn’t have long.
How can you be optimistic?
I mean, I have kids, but...)
The phone was ringing and he answered,
— Tres Americas.
And I was grateful for a chance to leave
thinking in the car
all loose ends,
Descatres' "provisional morality" (a)
and fatalism as a faith





3)
when the blackbird
lands on the wire
lost from its nest

when history is archeological
or eschatological
animals that we are

and the Pentateuch predates Moses (b)
and the Koran predates Islam

A fine mess we'll be in
Love torn into little bits
Arthropod anthropologists
running all around

And then I'll go and blow it all
up in a logging town
drink it all away
by an ancient mountain stream





a) From Discourse on Method (1637); The three maxims of provisional morality (provisional as in, don't change a horses in midstream)

(i) Conservatism: Follow law and custom; adhere to moderate opinions; make no vows or lasting commitments.

(ii) Decisiveness: Be firm and resolute in my actions.

(iii) Stoicism: Try to change my desires and attitudes rather than the world.

b) see the Documentary Hypothesis. Also Form criticism."

* Brace: a pair; couple: a brace of grouse.

closing:
Bertolt Brecht (from Mother Courage, 1941)

Chaplain- Tell yourself we're in the hands of God.
Mother Courage- I don't think we are that bad off.