I retired from full-time education and set off for South East Asia

shortly after arriving in Bangkok, Thailand I took a night train south

sometime after waking the next morning i decide to disembark in Chumphon City

then I met Pon Rasta & a HoneyBear

and Oh Boy, did we have adventures

but in the meantime … there is this :::

[from a narrative idea 2022] — a broken little bird came to my window —

Just yesterday… midday.

Wrapped my lecherous libido in chains of deuterium 

the chains failed and I leaned into subtle entendre ….

between the tears she nodded at tea — apple cinnamon.

A particular kind found in every corner of Canada

We talked.

She felt lost in the weight of placelessness (synonyms?)

I fumbled for something appropriate 

… to fill the gaps in the hurt-heartfelt collapse 

of another relationship turn’d sour

I danced for her while slowly unwinding a travel story 

An Oliver and Abu story – Karin will remember with clarity

I recall snippets. 

She left after dinner and I opened a second bottle of Merlot.

Now it’s nearing 4 in the mornin’…..

Echoes of Ani are floating, slightly reverberating

amongst the detritus of my collapsed consciousness,..

… drifting

… driffff ting …..

—  I’m in dimly lit narrow hall, .. but it warps, dissolves …

and then — it’s a dark road, except .. there on the left, 

above a low cliff,.. a faint glimmer of daylight and hope

.. just beginning to arise in the distance

And who am I ?? I’m the Matador.

—  somebody once told me that much…

I’m legs out,.. barrellin’ down the road, .. rollin’ along with ease.

in faint, misty evening light — I see a blue jacket, black trim. 

It’s a friend that has recently past,.. 

— Only the recent years have been stripped away …

It is only as we pass, that I recognize the slow shuffle 

of a life at ease. My mind must be feverish from a fitful sleep.

Still caught in the trappings of memory

I turn,… to make certain, I’m already calling his name

I turn and he waves, as his form morphs

I’ve experienced this before

It was always unsettling in my 20’s

“Lard why couldn’t I just be simple like Leonard”

As the last atoms of my buddy rise,.. Like morning vapours

.. from an open creek in November I turn, 

… and continue forward

What’s passed is past.

Now I’m walking a hall 

I’m in the building where I still work,.. Only not much longer.

… make it so I intone.

The walls fall away and I’m with Gerard, 

Duchame’s son, he’s holding a bundle in his arms.

It’s his newborn child and I’m acknowledged with a smile.

Sleep calls again and i slink into bed, .. my second one tonight

The first one didn’t bring much sleep ..

But … it did feature a fabulous song from 80’s high school dances

— Thomson Twins, “Hold Me Now”.

get this, misheard lyrics.. ,.. I’d always thought the response to “Hold me now” ..

was :: ‘“All my power”, but tonight I find the correct phrase :: “Warm my heart”..

Solstice is upon us.

we are 51’ North and the days stretch ….

into and past 18 hours,.. 

and the daylight finds me workin’…

…. stay tuned Dear Readers