1986-1990: These are some of my better early poems. If I wrote poems like this today I might not be happy with them. Nevertheless I think they have a strength and character of their own and are worth including if only to compare with my later work.

March 12

Winter? My ears feel cool.
Cool, smooth, dry.
Winter? The air is rainy.
Rainy, breezy, sweet.

Corridor smells: coffee, light, voices.
Bustle, concentrate, murmur.
Whirr.
Keys type. Numbers generate. Diagrams draw.
The beach will be empty; lonely; peaceful.

Winter? My limbs are clothed.
Clothed, covered, safe.
Winter? The city is watered.
Watered, lighted, shined.

Winter is memory. Dark. Wind, rain. Lights in the dark.
Scarves, nights. Enclosed feet.
Winter is then. Buses, splashes. Carpets, boots. Static
plastic chairs.

Music, music!
Winter is better music than this.