While looking for the way, we fall into the only placewhere we can quench our thirst. The way is not out there. It is notaround the corner. The way is whatwe need and do not give into. The way is what we are and do notallow others to know. The way falls into us,like an open-eyed man […]
poetry
Why Poetry is Well Suited for Space Work
Why did I think she had eyes thecolor of feces and sweat dipping tainted hairs white as burning phosphorous? What is wrongwith me? Why could I not justsee brown and white? It’s as if my mind has to reenter the atmosphere before it can join otherhumans again. Not unlike astronauts, poets speak words with Neoprene-coated nylon.Their syllables irrigating […]
The Devil of Omniscience
You always get what you want. Everythingcoming in must come out. Intimately. Moving together liketwo sides of the shark when it swims. Psychedelic inflation and the twosides of the universe moving together. Instead of. A mere assumption. Blownup. Holier than thou, Above human. Doing as you will. The whole systemfeeling lifted like a ground becoming light. […]
The Least Among Us Included
No more lists.No more bans.No more you are not allowed. No more I get to decide.It’s not right. Everyone deserves help. No more red flags. No more barriers. Let’s open the doorsof perception. Of reality. Of love and hate. Let’s do something radical. Let’s say yes to everyone. The least among us included. George Cassidy Payne […]
Andromeda / Peace in Me
The number of stars contained in the Andromeda Galaxy is estimated at one trillion.The expense of spirit in a waste of shame / Is lust in action. The galaxy is inclined an estimated 77° relative to Earth.All this the world well knows / To shun the heaven that leads [wo]men to this hell. The rotational […]
The Human Condition in Eight Stanzas
We are part of a family treethat is more than a metaphor. The birds feed off our limbs. And besides, this illness called the Future cannotremain hidden for long. Perhaps more than an enemy, we are something less than that as well. Everything presented to us, we can not seem to find. Everythinggiven to us, we can not seem to hold. Yet […]
The Image of Sarasvati in Buddhist Art
White Sarasvati, mural at the Namdroling Monastery in South India. Image courtesy of the author Sarasvati (Tib. yang chenma) is the goddess of knowledge, education, music, poetry, and culture. Her name can be found in the Vedic hymns. In these ancient Indian texts, she is worshiped as the divine power of ritual chants and sacrificial […]
The Spiral Staircases of Corinth
When I look up at you,I feel like the glass shieldaround the flames of a candlestick chandelier, as your tears fall like drops of frozen crystal. When I hold you, I feel setlike a carved mahogany tablewith pink and creme coloredcarnations as the centerpiece. When we trust each other, our lovefeels driven by the winds, and […]
A Long Pause
Life emerges.Lurid. Blistered. Wrapped inexiled scents it emerges. In the fracturesof eyes that feel buried alive it emerges Just as thehuge claws of time haul across the ground ofbeing, it emerges like a longpause in a conversation. George Cassidy Payne is a poet from Rochester, NY. His work has been included in such publications as the Hazmat […]
Anything but the Way to Make a Living
Our geneticsignature is how we makeour soul grow. It’s the clueswe leave in the dark energyall around us. Singing in theshower toVan Morrison. Writinga poem to a friendfor no reason. Learning that life isanything butthe way to make a living. George Cassidy Payne is a poet from Rochester, NY. His work has been included in such publications […]