That black thing on the pavement

Chapters in this book

1. Front Matter i
2. Contents vii
3. On the journey towardmy dead parents 3
4. The patchwork pavementof the lane 4
5. I look down intomy back lane 6
6. On the dual natureof things, I write 8
7. The yellow dog hasno apprehension 10
8. The skinny manwith the stiff leg 12
9. Some men are striders,and Here’s one 14
10. When you died it took memany days 16
11. And when the poem fails 18
12. The crow lands,infused with purpose 19
13. He enters the lane lunging 20
14. A couple walks in the lane 22
15. I take these old photos and dump them 23
16. Into air space above the lane 24
17. She’s down there every day at four 25
18. The man in the lane today, has he 27
19. I wish to announce from my balcony 29
20. I weave an effigy out of black socks 30
21. I beseech all you below, please 32
22. In winter the lane is bleak, colourless 34
23. At night darkness fills the lane 36
24. I awake in the morning to find 38
25. Where do pigeons go when it rains 40
26. At last I see the man I’m waiting for 42
27. Those I have said goodbye to 43
28. As this man walks he tilts, favours 45
29. I step out for air but it is not 47
30. how easily I change 49
31. As the rain falls, distance increases 50
32. At end of day a moment 52
33. I feel the lament in me growing 54
34. Reading about an old man dying 55
35. you would think We’re experts now 56
36. So much time is spent waiting 58
37. I take off my glasses and the lane becomes 59
38. how many of us remain unfinished 61
39. If only I could take pictures with my eyes 62
40. I was tired of living alone, she says 63
41. Doggone it, is there anyone down there 64
42. Why is it so difficult to live 65
43. How I would like to see a ship 66
44. No borders run the length of the lane 67
45. I’d like to check off 69
46. Some days I hear thoughts 70
47. I recognize those who have written 71
48. I look straight out, not down: 72
49. Bent man below, you may have heard 73
50. I watch those who are strong 74
51. Above the lane the clouds break apart 75
52. A tale of two neighbours begins 76
53. The crow flies in, lands on a power line 78
54. Here comes a face made ugly 79
55. Best answer for how to review your mistakes 81
56. A body falls out of the sky, legs up 82
57. When the face of sorrow appears 83
58. Dear city fathers or mothers or planners 85
59. If only I could see the dead walking here 86
60. I went to the doctor and the doctor said 88
61. That black thing on the pavement 90
62. Anyone down there wanna come up 92
63. It could happen some night 94
64. He who hesitates is lost is not 95
65. Today I have discovered again how 97
66. Suddenly the heart eases, I don’t know why 98
67. Of course the gods have fled the lane 99
68. Acknowledgments 101