Anywhere Near

Under a second hand grapefruit sky
dropping the nickle into the side pocket
opens the neon window
              I’m not sure but that cement clouds
              don’t crumble like my
              nicotine deprived neurology
                              a wall of Chinese diplomats
                                                & the Three Graces like a trio of
                              out-of-work exotic dancers

I can’t tell you why the music’s so bad

              landslide train wreck torpedo run
the waves detonate on the reef like
handgrenades
                                                    plus kettle drums, trumpets
                              & scrapmetal castanets
                                                                palm trees all strung w/piano wire
              & adhesive tape

                              against the mist
                                                                you bend to fit
                                                waltzing w/the kelp