BI(O)-POLAR EXPLORATION 
IN THE BLOCK WHERE I LIVE


in his last days before the time changed to spring
Allen Ginsberg wrote a dozen poems
I couldn't help loving this Buddhist
declared security risk
by the FBI

another prophet Patti Smith in braids
described neither Howl nor Kaddish
but Tibetan chanting that carried him off
to kick up hell and glory
through the Bardo Gap

and who hasn't suffered from
Attention Deficiet Disorder?

more mayhem in the pre-Millenium Hale Bobp
thing a ma bob Bealzibob Bob's your uncle
and pop-may-be-your-uncle-too jitters
I'd committ to any cult I could join

shades as signs of the times
semioptics
babies in dark glasses   sun shy
more women in lipstick
more men too
the changes so fast
Mary had a little clone

only night and day are certain

and if that weren't enough
the occasional rising:
                       inspiration as a rare and random ascent
                       to be kissed by an angel
                       shafts of light in the block where I live
                       shafts of light in the block where I lift