Carry Away My Words

I sent a letter to West 24th street,
hope all is well in that world. 

Adam Santiago got a cartoon caption in the New Yorker. 
My name was in it in 2008
for just a poetry show in the basement 
of Cornelia Street Cafe;
same thing appeared in the Village Voice. 

No other claim to fame,
even the books I wrote
go unread by their subjects
as well as my friends and family. 

history has its revenge
and hopefully mine will be hatchet-worthy,
to the heart and its casket chest.

I have a new job
teaching poetry 
to cancer patients
and folks affected with PTSD;
they hate me.

even Mr. Miyagi
made the Karate Kid mad
with muscle memory
disguised as chores.

I sent a postcard
of a waterfall to West 24th street,
I miss you.