“Match” image & text

Here’s a chestnut from some college 4 AM in 1992.  I took a smoke break when I finished scribbling this, and leaned against the wall of my rented Tempe house, feeling accomplished and solitary. Just then a large man with a white beard and a large walking stick walked by at a brisk pace. It was a striking interjection in my inky night.

I found out later that it was the poet Norman Dubie.

Image of original writing from a large sketch pad, with typed text below.

Oh what we think we know.

match

Match. I have none. Pairs. I have some matching socks. Pears. I ate one under the pear tree. Leaves. I’ve seen some, seen the spirited dance against gravity as they sail and twist and twirl to the ground, only to return to the soil, into the veins, the roots of the tree to become a leaf again only this time just a bit more prepared for the great fall. Leaving I’ve done some but found the problem was inside. Listen. I try too but only when I cannot hear you. Love. I’d love too, but not today, my friend. Cigarette. you got one, or you need one? Give. I’ll give some if you need it. Need. I’ve got some to give if you need it. It. that’s the way it goes, it doesn’t really matter. Blank. I’ve drawn one. Some. some is less than many but greater than a few. Light. one light on one floor of one apartment building just went out. Days. how many days have you been alive, and how many have you lived in. Way. which way is right, how do you get there, where do you go, when can I start? Work. you’ve got too, or so they say. End. it’s come to, this is the end.

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