Pete Spence



Resolves.

i've given up
making tunnels
for the wind
it seems to
avoid them like
the plague
i've given up
directing footsteps
and in winter
the wind may need
socks but i refuse
to make them
i've given up teaching
aerodynamics
to obese clouds
i've stopped making
plans for the moment
days...weeks...years
seem more important



Exhibition with Misquote.
everybody's trying
to get noticed!

that painting is atrocious!

followed
by

retina damage           retina damage

standing
still and moving
around the gallery

good thing i have a bottle
of catch-up in my hand!

i like the way the light
in that corner
detracts from the painting

still life

still life
goes on


You're on Your Own.

quick! get breakfast done
before the birds wake up and steal it
or the dew melts and washes away the street
then when you are finished throw
your dishes into that piranha-filled puddle
and as the first shattering experience of the morning
becomes an echo dash into the details
and mouldy distillations pictured here as now
or the latest shadow wrestling with sinus
ignore those particularly ugly clouds collapsing
the scene and its detours eclipsing decision
"this way up" "open other end" "keep left"
when you get it wrong the boulders applaud
they are sophisticated enough to make dust
you happily take up sneezing in the wake of a cloud
from this moment on your guide is preoccupied
with sleep and you're on your own



Skywriter.

i look up
and see
a message

today the sky
is a very fine blue

well thanks for
the information!

i take up a brush

dip it into some
dirty grey paint

start painting clouds!

start painting clouds!




Pete Spence was born in 1946. He is a poet, visual poet, and filmmaker, and has worked in various jobs to cover the ongoing deficit.

He is currently retired from work but not from any of the above.
 
 
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