Jim BEHRLE

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6.

choose your level of involvement:

overrun by the cute,



be estranged, endangered
as a snowflake

in drifts, aimed

at the sullen targeted, be
friendly fire




7.

death is the cure for love



YOU NEVER LOVED ME


AND I HAVEN'T DIED
YET

it is raining in the bus




8.

remain granite, a stoic stop
for tourists and on coins



or the victim of a trumpet
a high American squeal



older man, crinkle your
brow horizonward

squint off toward more winter nights




11.

the
jumpiness of the
acids, flowing in what we call

rain, sleet, fire, the bends, but



no to you, you love and



or each day



trip upon the same sidewalk crack




12.

tumors on the faces of

heroes, red wine on collars


against all comfort, suddenly



you dreamers, wishers, you
asked for it






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