EXILED  

 

when exiled from

same     when here

invokes difference     to



say jew &

to explain miracle

of light wind



horizon tug guiding

container ship to

harbor     coral reef



exposed at low

morning tide     why

i am not



with them in

temple     inventing here

a form of



prayer     as others

in morning     travel

word for word





HERE



i don’t think

my particular life

merits extended meditation



you who read

these poems please

know it is



the place of

these words we

are given to



know here we

are in a

peculiar way given



permission to be

can enter (sometimes)

this resounding space



where thinking sings

sacred place the

moment’s measured being

                                    9.15.01

 

 

 

Hank Lazer has published 14 books of poetry, including The New Spirit (Singing Horse, 2005), Elegies & Vacations (Salt, 2004), and Days (Lavender Ink, 2002).  In 2008, Omnidawn published Lyric & Spirit: Selected Essays, 1996-2008.  Over the past few years, Lazer has collaborated with jazz musicians Tom Wolfe and Chris Kozak on some jazz & poetry improvisations and with outsider artist Pak on a series of poem-paintings.  He is currently working with animation artist Janeann Dill on a poetry-video installation project.  His newest book of poems, Portions, will be published in the spring of 2009.