Two Poems by Ford Dagenham

APPLIANCE TIMES MAY VARY

apparently my Time is NOW.
my Life; NOW.
in this weird slot straddling centuries
but
appliance times may vary.

radio on back door open occasionally a friend will call. her

again new black underwear.
listen to blackbird cry out flies slowly over.
Life Fire and the Death TV.
whisky flows softly to douse the burnout of my brain.
appliance times may vary.

I attempt Werds to not die useless
but its all coming out as barren self portraits
because
appliance times may vary.

Write New and Write Again- yes
tonight there will be drugs
but
tomorrow I work at the desk coffee cups and small lamp.
must Write Werds like burning forest painting ash on flowers.

must not die useless don’t know how long I have
because
appliance times may vary.

PLASTIC BUDDHA

these loose easy hot coffee days shine like a Mars.
but
the evenings!
the nights!
are slow cold
are stale tired
are difficult and stubborn.

attempt to file accurate reports when home safe.
but
uninspired!
dead!
awful blank head!
demented clock hands spin round I am sitting in the kitchen

hands still as stone.
midnight
comes
minutes
after
4 pm.

so light so late sky rich deep rock blue blooms black
when
the
orange
feathers
fade.
air is empty eager for autumn to rush in and die.