KEROUAC

(for J.H)

K is for Kali
the black one
holding bloody sword
and demon head
fearless and generous
a sash of limbs about her waist
the pearls of carnage
around her neck
the destroyer of ignorance
mother of order
mother of dissolution
the black tongue of Agni
licking the neck of Shiva

E is for eternity
in whose breast
you rest forever
safe and dead
the never-ending scroll
of no-breath

R is for the road
cut with the white line
that moves neither forward
nor back
long free sentences
crossing America

O is for “Out”
the umpire’s cry
as the runner sad
slides too late
home

U is for Urizen
the locks of logic
the limits

A is for America
the great space
land of your imagination
train yards
boxcars
city streets
long long walks
that write themselves
rivers and mountains
gas stations graveyards
and baseball

and C
C is for Christ
the sacred heart
within your heart
shepherd of the lost
ManGod savior
pain’s salvation
the big
big Love