A man is a piece of the mountain

man is a piece of the mountain

some energies before words
come close for their obeisances
like messengers to kings

aging is like war
the commanders are surprised I’m still alive
they promote me against their better judgment

my new radio can stretch 10,000 miles

my target keeps changing but my targeting improves
I just keep following her
throwing up my arms
watching her eyes

this rear division has been targeted for some time
and air support is so high up it might as well be religious belief
we are encoding this broadcast for translation
and if we are wiped out–

well, we’re learning
I’m learning

I no longer hate my enemies
for they do me so much honor
in trying to destroy me

give me leave to occupy the hill above the town
with my books
one of these days I’m going to find one of my ancestors’ hats and put it on my head
the tree on my head like the one by my door
like the one by my mouth

every oak a radio tower
my beard Spanish moss

Robin Wyatt Dunn was born in Wyoming in 1979. You can read more of his work at www.robindunn.com. Read other articles by Robin.