casemate poems (reprise) 22

because this poem is over the hump and sailin'
because it's time for end-of-the-week runaround

photocopying banking—tried to get a media ticket
for minglewood's maritime bash but no go

because my rain knee is singing again
because cousins from bc and nova scotia meet

by chance outfront of the casemate and much
exchange email addresses cell and roving cells

because these keys are not new orleans keys
and i've no sidemen on horns no bass no torch

because i can't focus on some of what i need—
festival and residency both preempting and i've

no one running interference no stage manager
no roadies no security personnel no ready johns

because i'm yawning while writing this poem
how can i expect any reader to get excited?

because i'm too tired to chomp at the bit
because i suspect i'm drifting into autopilot

cruise control autosave autorun homestretch
because i just might be catching up to myself

l6sept2005