various verses   by james phoenix

Grayness

 

            for Forrest Read

 

slate tiles, deep gray

and sky-chipped,

offer themselves to

the weather on

top of a lecture hall.

 

minds in a skyscraper molt genius

like crated chickens stacked on a semi

leave feathers in the wind.

 

fetal, pale gray

and cancer-worn,

the teacher offers

his last self

to those who listen:

 

"I have spent my life

reading Pound.

There are worse ways

to spend one's life."