Anne Birkam

Censored

Careful your mouth could be the death of you. Lies are easily accepted and live if only for awhile – at least it is your while.. Silence- the golden shrugs her shoulders. Turn your back – at least it won’t get shot at. Careful your mouth will bleed words. So what is this “individual?” servedContinue reading “Censored”

after tiananmen

this mouth never hesitates these hands plant seeds bearing radishes parsley tomatoes i am a wonderful salad maker eat of it and live die without it your soul will vanish china china you are the earth and i am your blood 6/9/1989

cutting the line

i’m doing it tonight your voice won’t hear my hello anymore i won’t don’t want your reply no news good news and wednesday is just another tuesday i’ll live yesterday and forget today’s newspaper yeah i’ve cut it –done there’s a knock at my door 2-19-81 in memoriam Frederick Francis Birkam (9/16/1922-2/18/1981)

hired hand

the sweat of this peon’s brow is cleaner than the high collar of your pomp though you stomp with your foot the ants beneath you squish them dying though you crush with your fist the merest spider ideas will germinate from the smallest of worms haunt you with ultimate truth 4/21/1981

coming up for air

i’m going on down to the beauty shop for a face – lift redo my body going down i’m going on down to the station passing away these dreams are getting me down don’t call me tuesday i’ll be down already on monday i’m going on down to fashion square for a costume to hideContinue reading “coming up for air”

Costume party

You’re invited, so you make-up your body in masquerade tints looking around you for a model. There’s a goblin always hungry, never has enough. He’d take your dinner and your lung leaving an empty bowl to sup. But you hate indigestion. So you stop and wonder How shall my soul be dressed? There’s Napoleon inContinue reading “Costume party”

Christmas bird

Christmas bird your song I hear. I wonder do you fly? and where? Christmas bird you fly and where is obvious on air on air! 1980s

Doctor doctor

My illness is a part of me – yet you, doctor, try to cure it. You heave your scalpel into my brain – the inquiring scientist finds nothing. You attach your fingers to the sound of my breast, sorting through a maze of veins. The stethoscope hears empty. Your investigations reveal puzzle after puzzle. HowContinue reading “Doctor doctor”

now and then

the waves rolled against the coast leaving traces they were there now are gone a melody flowed through this heart metal sieve notes touched it then departed you lived my gentle flag my friend so dearly you lived then making now my cross to bear 10/20/1980

A New Year’s Eve message

The oracle says no one will steal your joy. Wise women rejoice despite the ceaseless toil. It is deep within you- kernel lit with dawn. Rise up woman, rise and name the relentless worm. He eats the earth inside, turns us mean and vile- Langston said it, time for truth and the wisdom to beContinue reading “A New Year’s Eve message”