I.
It is not
a movement.

We are not
going anywhere.

It is not
over nothing.

II.
We live here
not based somewhere
hovering over our beds
like a helicopter in a hurricane.

Just what we do
we are here to do,
listen with our living-
literal ligaments lifting
long lines of light
our logistical love
of latitude.

III.
Lateral shifts-
shaking off the green clay,
climbing down the ladder,
lassoing the chimney,
levitating the mail--
running in place,
the very pace
recalls a time
of individual malleability,
working wet animals,
running in circles
and getting everywhere.


Rick McMonagle studied with Allen Ginsberg and Anne Waldman at Naropa Institute (University) in Boulder, CO. He is the author of two books of poetry, "Light Tips," and "Moorish Journal." He has been published in Exquisite Corpse, Bombay Gin, Rolling Stock, Friction, Black Mountain Review II and others. He lives in Eugene.