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SKETCHES OF AN ISLAND LIFE, exerpts from a collection
ENTIERRO SECUNDARIO EN URNA
An urn, uncovered by sudden rain,
holds the bones of a man.
A skull rests on its lip.
Small bones circle it
like a crown of thorns.
The sky is endless
in this Andes' wasteland.
Ancient Indians once navigated clouds.
They knew the space
a man could properly take.
LA COBALONGA
A six foot twisted vine, painted black
rests against a wall.
Irregular white painted diamonds,
replicating skin, surface
like sun spots in the grain.
At one end is an obsidian tongue.
Above it, one horrible eye.
One thousand years ago,
the note says,
a shaman waved this staff.
What god is cured of poison?
What men live without stress?
BREAKING THE MINUTE
At fourteen thousand feet
breath comes quick,
the walking slow.
Bodies lean toward the sea.
Eyes look for stars.
Thought goes.
The aging beast lumbers on.
In spite of wishes,
nothing falls through time.
One minute
then another
breaks.
Night offers a moon
none can consecrate.
LATE ARRIVAL
The sky shudders magenta
before collapse.
Dark mountains stake distance.
He has, at last, arrived
on a different continent
seeking a new life.
The sun never forgives.
But it is now night
which caresses his lies.
Joseph Lisowski From 1986 to 1996, Joseph Lisowski was Professor of English at the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas. He is now teaching at Mercyhurst
College North East along the often frigid shores of Lake Erie. His chapbook of poems, Letters to Wang Wei, along with two essays has recently been
published in Words on a Wire. His chapbook of poems, After Death's Silence is now available from 2River View. Other work may be seen on line
in Niederngasse, Kota Press Journal, Thunder Sandwich, the Hold, The Eclipse, Poet's Canvas, New World Poetry, 2River View, Wired Art for
Wired Hearts, The Cortland Review, Serpentine, and other fine mags. He is currently poetry editor of New Works Review.
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