Coromandel (7.30 pm)

[photograph: Simon Creasey (2005)]

Coromandel

Es ist Zeit, daß es Zeit wird
– Paul Celan, “Corona”

bird stalks by
5-fingered sky
Sunday

in the rearview mirror
Autumn gnaws my hands
we’re friends

van reversing
past the
pharmacy

check out those jeans
swap spit
talk shit

don’t stare at
us
it’s

time she said
it’s time the asphalt
bled

it’s time

[First published in Poetry NZ 28 (2004): 92.].

Western Springs (7.00 pm)

[photograph: Jack Ross (2006)]

Unsuccessful Applicant for
Neighbourhood Watch

I like to see
what people do
in private
in secret
in the dark

Newmarket (1.30 pm)

[photograph: Jack Ross (2006)]

Newmarket

Everybody’s got to
have plans
my magnum opus

For a hard-earned
thirst
face caked with clay

fixed-rabbit stare
from the kid who
cut me off

Everybody’s got to have
this headache
sick to your stomach

Everybody’s got to
dress
dress to impress