My Pathological Honesty

Ray Bub

Love and pride are opposed in the heart;
Love makes the artist, but pride makes the art.

Warmth is too much
But cold is not nearly enough.
I wish I were hot.

Love is an empty room.
So many strings,
A disorganized loom.

Truth is my only defense.
Poor it is against events.

A pike swam deep through silence,
Light in liquid glass.

Can fish be lonely?  I think whales can.

Sweet dolphins dance 
On color-strewn sand.

I love the craggy bergs
But shiver to think of their hearts in words.

Spring is my favorite time.
Oceans scare me, expanses, crime.

Birds, fish, rock formations
Make the best friends without complications.

I’m interested in what we do
More than in changes we go through.

Impermanence, icebergs, continental shelf,
Love, airplanes, temporary wealth,
Autos, flesh, cold storage vaults,
Earthquakes, humans, faults.