Willow - from "Zen, or the Skll to Catch a Killer," episode 2

Let me in, twenty minutes -
somebody might see me,
a shaking hand, hovering,
car parked in the woods.
Bend back,
keeping the bruised side hidden,
tenderly false.
If he finds out about us -
worse to speak, rending steel -
kill. I mean it.

Save it for me, baby.

The runner - from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," episode 2

I knew you'd be back,
highball grime and your
smoking tears.
You shouldn't have spoken that way,
those pains,
a stunned running engrossed,
chasing the bends.
You needed to change - your father...
Honey, it's right out here.
Shaking sick, please listen.
There's no reason to fade.

The Pines - from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," episode 2

Sipping coffee
on the edge of generic,
every hour effortlessly untied,
strung glowing, a robin's egg
folded scarlet, new beginning.
Angrily elegant,
your iron gates an
envelope, silk ribbon flowing script,
the music we hear heavy, close.
The pines, towering,
a smaller opera each day.
Note the invitation, the promise.
White room, emerald smoke.
Exasperated, you pound, burst.

I'll see you later - from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," episode two

I'm not feeling too good, no; think I
got a touch of flu, bruise on the cheek - 
fine, fine. I'm going to
erase this, connection pale, face unknown across
broken dishes, shards sweeping stiffly,
the need to rest, to be okay.
Next, my name over a place,
not a person, trash trying to sound normal.
I've got everything here I need;
don't drop by, okay? I'll always feel
like I have to be better.

It didn't hurt, honest - from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," episode two

He tries to move her.
She starts screaming.
When you say the name, secret boyfriend,
it strikes below, startles a bird
way above and
the routine repeats.
When there's no feeling
there's no sense
calling out
what did not break. 

This same dream - from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," episode two

Following a dream I had
three years ago I
lay my hands on a line
drawn in chalk, explaining in
full-length a list to the deepest
levels, intuition on the
left side.
Move in on the fire,
desperately moaning, to dance -
stop, stop it - we have to sit uneasily,
recall infant spirit.
Concentrate on the 'J's.
I give the word.
Please read aloud
each of the names.
Hold this, a diary.
Get near me and I
will recall the
direct connection. 

Big band - from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," episode two

I died uneasily,
pursued on the edge of the bed,
restlessly searching.

Stay up late tonight,
pace, boots an impression
of the day I had a problem.
Maintain a watch on the music - it isn't
right, needle on the record,
tempo the heavy feel of despair.

The stylus, key to torment,
startled by another part of you.

Look again,
look again.
We have to dance.

Changing course - from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," episode two

Pay attention with
detached amusement,
reaction a death brag,
complexion bored.
Get acquainted, sweetheart,
the rough buzz of double scotch
an ideal of summer's darling.
The door swings open; register a
shake, the others already in the room,
worldly power, sensational.
Breathe, so long. Arrange this life,
easy without changing course.

Black Lake - from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer," episode 2

Full moon feigned indifference,
illuminates no reason into tears.
Eat again, comforts in the cold surface,
roaring spite rapidly adding figures
to this placid thorn.
Black bourbon, pulsating eye, infra-red
destination - a neon sign possession,
detached reaction.

I just want to take it off.

Spirit still far apart, from "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer" - episode 2

I should let you know 

body and spirit are
still far apart -
I think it would have
turned out this way
sooner or later, trembling negative.
I remember a time I
almost told you what you really want -
remember? Remember?
It's still waiting for you, tender, alone.
We almost looked at each other and
I couldn't even let myself think.
Now I don't feel
what we're doing is the truth.
Are we going to be together?
I almost had you, this way.

A strange dream, from "Traces to nowhere," episode 1

Your voice, words written with a cigarette,
love overcome with character,
my secrets on cassette tape - you probably noticed.
The dance, lights low, a strange dream
green with ambient sound - I'm so bored.
You could drive off,
rear brake lights into a
soft tune, intimately plain.
But no; tell me what you noticed.
Let me tell you about this room,
this music, the emotions I don't believe.

Visible Momentum - from "Traces to nowhere," episode 1

I'm going to teach you a lesson now
about empty footsteps and
keys to the night.
I know you saw something
out of frame, a damaged moment.
Say something about this,
the metabolism of silence,
visible momentum.
I heard you in the corner,
heavy perfume,
speaking weak, pale,
lying to establish your composure.
Spin loud, protecting your face.
I know this is gonna hurt you.

Path made clear - "Northwest passage," episode 1

Hands white-knuckled,
I've got to write myself
an ecstatic state,
fists stunned into a poem.
Clench the brightening aspiration;
the path has its limits,
slips back sometimes.
My patience is minor, my hurt clear,
only tolerant of need when
there is a second beauty
to its eye.

There's no need to come back
after this.