Invisible Man

Now I sit alone
Behind the invisible man
He would tell me the cause of it all
If it were not for his absence of mouth
He would listen to the problems of my world
If it were not for his absence of ears
He would see my pain and feel my heart
If it were not for his absence of eyes
He would love me
If it were not for his sorrow

I keep picturing all these little kids playing some game in a big field of rye and all. … Thousands of kids, and nobody big at all, nobody big but me. And I’m standing on the edge of this crazy cliff. What I have to do, I have to come and catch them. If they start to fall … and don’t look where they’re going. That’s all I’d do all day. I’d just be the catcher in the rye and all.

Garden

Lines of dirt in neat little rows
each one housing a separate form
of life. Some will be green others
red. Mostly they will be full
of the minerals of earth.
A Garden variety

garden taking pleasure in its variety
that can only be accomplished in rows
and columns. There’s nothing else on earth
so rare, like the foreign saffron, not from
surfers and stars to intellectuals full
of “new” ideas.

In this garden the earth
stains you with humility. Other
people drown in cleanliness from
satiety. Granted, there are large varieties
of people to be accounted for rows
and rows. Fridges pudding and poptarts full.

There’s something fundamentally wrong with rows
of houses that all look the same, from
their white picket fences and two car garages to other
little amenities. This lacks ful-
filment I find. Lacks earthly
values, not to mention variety.

A garden used to its fullest
extent creates a new sort of satisfaction. Ask mother earth,
she seems to have it figured out, her trees in a row,
so to speak. In the garden, have many other
types; scallions, sage, squash. Don’t be afraid of variety.
You will always know where they came from,

the earth.
Even if just a single flower there is no other
past time so deeply rooted in life. From
each garden there is life, not simply one form, but of all varieties.
Just think of the calm of a canoe, rowing
along, its repetitious sloshing filling

you with another world of peace, simply rowing
along. She as so many varieties to offer don’t block yourself off from
her beauty May you come to be full of the beauty of earth.

Syracuse

I stare through the pane, and all I see is white.
free from the tyranny of red light green light,
and I couldn’t care less.

Raggedy Anne from down the street,
and the burnt smell of autumn leaves .
I want to scare the neighbors
out of candy
forever.

In other towns, houses get additions,
there are new stores
here and there,
but Syracuse is trapped in a
freeze-locked
Tupperware container

I had a brother there,
or two
and our weary dogs
tired from the play
of three young boys
smiled as we slept.

But it could not last forever.

Where are we going?
There isn’t any snow?

Please don’t make me go.

I get on my horse
rock with fervor,
for a moment
the creaky spring

snaps

and we begin to fly.

The Will
(or Synthia)

Arranged a meeting with mother
but it did not go as well as I had previously hoped.
Can’t seem to get her to stop thinking about
dad, but he’s dead I’d always say.
Every time she fails to see the matter at hand.
Fails to read the paper presented to her by our
gorgeous attorney Synthia, who I am having an affair with.
Have a heart, I can hear them say, think of father!
I have, I would tell them, and he would fuck her too,
just in less vulgar terms of course. You see my father wasn’t
killed, didn’t die of natural causes, but jumped from a plane you see,
lots of men jump from planes, but
most with parachutes.
No, Father would have loved Synthia, still
omitting her of course from the document we so desperately want a
peek at. Like vultures I swear. It is a
queer thing, siblings, generally we’ve all been friends.
Regardless I will tear them limb from limb,
so be it.
That’s life I’d always say.
Understand for a moment that I am not unkind, just impatient and
very particular and I would very much like it that
when I decide to go, my will be read forthright. Although brother Ale
xander begs to differ. Buffleheaded buffoon that he is.
Yet here we sit, in this late Victorian office, I’m sorry, “Study,” A
zoo seems more fitting; the Lion dead, leaving his chimps to
fight for his kingdom.

Brother Can You Spare a Dime

rough as . . .

woody gutherie
scrappin in a flea infested street

rough as . . .

sawdust and sandpaper
fingernails filled with
grime and soot

rough as . . .

the crash test dummy
put in his neon orange inmate’s fatigue
a splintered shard of plastic
doing its one hundredth
head on high speed hit
slow motion contortionist
its beige wood grained
cat pawed exoskeleton

rough as . . .

daniel plainview
taking off boots dipped in tar
oiled and grimed with dirt and limestone
covered in blood sweat and satisfaction

rough as . . .

morning after
bathtub gin induced
vomit thick and chalky

rough as . . .

the down and outs
threadbare stained brown
crusted ancient two penny socks
foraged from a moldy sleeping bag

rough as . . .

kitty cat
claws retract
clinging to flesh
from k nine
aggressors

rough as . . .

strep throat gargling tacks behind your uvula

rough as . . .

the bowery boys
full fledged warfare flaring
fatal nail infested wood boards
into the dead rabbits heads

rough as . . .

mickey rourke

rough as . . .

mother justice
chasing down
five forgotten broken bashed rashed hands slapped
cold steel lock and barred
alcatraz slam sledged rocks smashed
in black and whites

rough as . . .

oil rigged man of steel
manipulating mother earth
penetrating her crust
deep with forced thrusts
spurting black blood

rough as raw silk

How old is old enough to watch two young boys?

as I stood silent the house was being torn apart
a coat
a sock
a scarf
mittens?

That night we tried to cross the
asphalt Delaware.

There was a moment
in the snow
when in earnest
I thought,

I would never see home again.

The Red Wheelbarrow

So much depends upon me
in the yard forgotten.
Useless as I am
glazed with rain
and cannot carry my weight.

Even as the storm clears
a puddle has formed in my
red stained bowels.

The grass is taller now,
the white chickens
have been slaughtered.
I have weathered into
rust and sit as a shelter

to the yellow hatchlings.

TAKE A NUMBER

By Chris Ringkamp

CHARACTERS:

The Giant:  A giant.

Walter:  A middle aged man, 40-50

Samuel: A younger man, 25-35

SETTING:

Interior; non-descript waiting room.

AUTHOR NOTE:

The giant should appear as such, but should not be taken as a chance at comedy.

- The Play -
(Curtains open on a dark waiting room. Walter sits alone, still, lifeless, on a chair. Enter The Giant, who mills about the stage and begins to open the room, turn on lights etc. Walter remains still.  The Giant eventually walks to a sign on the wall and turns (or activates) it to open.  Walter is jolted to life.)

WALTER:

Here we are again dear boy!  You sir have presented me with an eternal mystery! Perhaps today is the day you will spread those lips and speak an utterance, of even the tiniest degree I wouldn’t mind.

(The Giant stares at Walter)

Well, that’s your prerogative dear boy.  I do wonder how long they shall take, me being the only one here and waiting so long at that.  I say, do you suppose you could put my name higher on the list?  There is a list, ins’t there?

(The Giant stares at Walter, Walter laughs)

Well, it was worth a try. Friend, have you a smoke?

(The Giant moves lethargically towards Walter, hands him a hand rolled cigarette.)

And a light?

(The Giant pulls a box of matches out of his pocket and strikes one)

Ah, Thank you.  So, what of it now?  There must be something I can do; I’ve been doing everything right haven’t I?  I’ve sat here and waited patiently for some time now.  I would really like to be seen you see.  There must be something I can do to help, tell me friend what is it that I can do?

(There is a loud buzz, The Giant moves to wall opposite open sign and presses a small white button.  The lights flicker and pop, appear Samuel.)

WALTER:

Hello dear boy!  And who might you be?

(Samuel says nothing, but stands completely still.  The Giant walks to Samuel, slightly touches his forehead with his index finger, Samuel jolts to life.)

SAMUEL:

NOOOOOO! FUCK YOU I CAN”T—

(beat)

What the fuck?

WALTER:

(smiling)

Ah, there you are.

SAMUEL:

What the hell is going? I need to get back! I NEED TO GET BACK GET ME OUT OF HERE!

WALTER:

You’ll find, friend, that getting mad will get you nowhere.

SAMUEL:

You have to help me, I need to get back, I’m going to—

WALTER:

Well now, I’m afraid I don’t see much chance of that happening.

SAMUEL:

Look, I don’t know who you are –

WALTER:

(laughs)

Yes yes, that tends to happen.  Look my boy, there’s no use fighting this, I’m sure if you calm yourself you’ll find it to be more helpful.  Might as well get comfortable and wait.

SAMUEL:

Fuck you I’m not waiting for anyone or anything.  HELLO! GET ME OUT OF HERE! THIS ISN’T FUNNY!

(screaming, frantic, he runs around the room)

If I don’t get back they’re going to destroy everything!

WALTER:

Give it time friend; you’ll no longer know about the everything they wish to destroy.

SAMUEL:

What the FUCK does that mean!

(Continues his ruckus, The Giant slowly moves towards Samuel, taps his shoulder, and Samuel falls lifeless to the floor.  The Giant picks him up, carries him to a chair, and sets him down.  Taps his shoulder again, and he awakes. Samuel tries to speak but cannot)

WALTER:

Don’t worry friend, that will wear off in time.  You must be special, I’ve never seen him so cordial!  Quite the show!

SAMUEL:

(tries to speak)

bbblllaaaammmmmsssshhh, rootttakkk, fofof, sshh, flluusss

WALTER:

Hush now, you’ll be quite all right, I’m Walter, and this lovely fellow I have named Maxwell.

SAMUEL:

Ahhhhhh duuhnnnnntlll crraabblleesshhhfsssss

WALTER:

Oh that is quite enough of that, really! You should be more patient, in what hurry could you possibly be in to put you in a state like this?

(Samuel tries to get out of his chair but falls to the ground like a sac of wet laundry.  The Giant slowly walks towards Samuel)

WALTER:

No no Maxwell, don’t worry, I’ve got this one.

(He looks to The Giant for some sort of approval or thanks, but gets none)

SAMUEL:

I dooonnn’t neeed yoouurr help.

WALTER:

(As he picks up Samuel from the floor)

There there, up-sy-daisy.  See? Much better here than on that floor now isn’t it?

SAMUEL:

W-What’s g-going on, why can’t I leave, who are you, and what are we doing here?

WALTER:

Ah! Talking already! Fantastic.  Now to your first question I have a simple response.  We are waiting.

SAMUEL:

For what?

WALTER:

To be seen.

SAMUEL:

By who dammit!?

WALTER:

Easy there pistol grip, no need to get hasty.  By whom I don’t think I can rightly say, I’m the only one who has ever been here until you popped in, or at least, to my recollection.  I’ve been trying my best to sit patiently like I’m sure I’m supposed to.  Maxwell and me have been here for, oh, how long has it been Maxwell?

(The Giant smiles but says nothing)

Well, a good while I assure you.

SAMUEL:

And to my second question?

WALTER:

Ooooh yes I had almost forgotten.  You cannot leave obviously because you have not yet been seen.  I’m sure She doesn’t like people to walk out on appointments.  Quite bothersome I can tell you that.

SAMUEL:

So you just sit.  Here.  All day.  Doing nothing.

WALTER:

I don’t really look at it as doing nothing.  As I see it if this is what it takes to be seen then I must abide.

SAMUEL:

Abide? Do you even know what your abiding by?  Who told you to just sit here and wait?

WALTER:

Well, well, no one I suppose. . . I just assumed that it was what I was supposed to do.

SAMUEL:

What about before, before the room.  What did you do before you were placed in this god awful place.?

WALTER:

Before the room?  Well I…

(Pause)

You know I haven’t thought about that in a long time my boy.  To be honest I can’t quite remember! Funny isn’t it!  The only thing I seem to be able to recollect is waiting here!  As long as I can remember it has been just me and old Maxwell! Quite the companion though.

SAMUEL:

And how are you so sure that this giant is your companion?  Have you ever stopped to think that maybe he’s the one keeping you stuck here?

WALTER:

What?  Dear no, that can’t be, he would never do such a thing…. would you Maxwell?

(The Giant says nothing)

SAMUEL:

Well I can’t just sit here and wait for an eternity I have to get back and stop my wife from…

WALTER:

Get back to where?

SAMUEL:

To

(Pause)

To

(Pause)

That’s strange.  I was somewhere vitally important.  Somewhere sick.

WALTER:

Oh don’t bother my friend.

SAMUEL:

I can’t do this Walter, I have to save myself and your going to help me, there must be something, anything we can do.  Don’t you get bored of just sitting here doing nothing?  There must be something behind these walls! Come on! There must be some way out!

WALTER:

Behind the walls? You know I must say I’ve never thought of that.  I never imagined that at all!

SAMUEL:

(gets up and starts searching the room from seams, cracks, anything that might resemble a get away)

Come on! Get up and help me with this!

(Walter stares at Samuel, slowly rises from his chair and begins to search the room, chuckling like a child)

WALTER:

I must say! This is quite the adventure isn’t it!

SAMUEL:

FUCK! There’s nothing! What the hell kind of place is this!  There must be a way!

(Samuel begins to kick, punch, tear down the walls any way he can.  Walter looks at him apprehensively, not knowing what to do.)

Come on! You can’t stop now!

(Walter begins to join the rumpus)

WALTER:

This is quite fun!  I must say this is the most fun I’ve had in ages.  I want to thank you dear boy.  This is quite enjoyable is it not?  I think I’m going to enjoy having you here, I dare say it will be quite the lark!  Maxwell, isn’t this a lark?

(They continue their destruction but to no avail.  Samuel eventually frustrated goes to his seat and sits down, Walter continues trying to tear down the walls.)

SAMUEL:

Fuck.  This can’t be.  There has to be a way out.  There’s no such thing as a room with no exit.

(The Giant begins to make his way about to room, he fixes everything broken, puts back everything misplaced)

WALTER:

No no Maxwell! You mustn’t fix this up we’re trying to leave you see! Maxwell, stop!

(Samuel, noticing The Giant)

SAMUEL:

YOU!  YOU! Why are you keeping me here! Do you have any idea what is happening to me? Do you!?

(He gets up and walks to the giant, talking to him, the giant ignores him and continues to do his work)

Do you take some kind of sick pleasure in this? You want us here don’t you? You would be thrilled for us to just waste away forever while you watch, is that it?

WALTER:

Now dear boy I’m afraid that isn’t quite fair, you must leave Maxwell alone he hasn’t done anything in the way of our harm.

SAMUEL:

STOP DEFENDING HIM! HE’S DONE NOTHING FOR YOU!

(The Giant continues to fix the room)

STOP THIS! STOP FIXING THIS! WHAT DOES IT MATTER! SPEAK!

(Samuel begins to try and push The Giant)

Well!? SAY SOMETHING GODAMMIT!

(Samuel starts to try and physically assault The Giant.  The Giant is unfazed and continues his work)

COME ON! RESPOND! Please! Something, anything I can’t be here like this, I can’t!  I need to get home, I have to save myself, I can’t just sit and idly wait for something I have no control over!

WALTER:

Yes Maxwell, what exactly are you keeping us here for? Come if there was anytime for you to speak it would be now!  I can’t just sit here forever can I?  Come Samuel!

SAMUEL:

You! You worthless piece of shit!  It’s you isn’t it!?  I need to get back to… FUCK.  I HAVE TO STOP…. IT’s YOU!  You are erasing my memory! You son of a bitch!

WALTER:

No! No no no!  I am in the same predicament as you!  I am your companion, remember that time we tried to tear down the walls?  Wasn’t that fun?

(Samuel shifts his focus from The Giant to Walter.  He begins to storm towards him)

Easy now fellow! This is no time for hysteria!

(Samuel grabs Walter by the collar and lifts him off of his chair. The Giant Makes notice and turns and watches Samuel)

SAMUEL:

Make this stop. Bring me back, I’m not going to sit here forever as your little playmate!

WALTER:

I assure you that is not why you are here and you know it!  Now put me down this is fun no longer!

(Samuel punches Walter to the floor)

SAMUEL:

You can assure me of nothing! NOTHING!

(A noise begins to reverberate from the giant, it starts as a low bass hum but slowly crescendos into an ear piecing scream as Samuel rears back to kick Walter.  As The Giant’s scream crescendos the walls of the room begin to quake and the lights begin to flicker.  Samuel loses his balance and falls to the ground and scrambles back to his chair terrified.  The Giant’s scream subdues and the room goes back to normal.  The Giant moves over to Walter, picks him up and gently places him back in his chair, smiles at Walter, and then begins to clean up)

WALTER:

Thank you Maxwell.  As for you I feel that was entirely unnecessary behavior!  I don’t expect an apology but I do expect you to be a little bit more rational.

SAMUEL:

I’m sorry Walter.  I don’t understand, I need to get back, how can I possibly let this happen.

WALTER:

I can’t believe you tried to turn me against Maxwell; he has never threatened me as you have, and to think I believed you could have possibly gotten me out of here.  I should have never trusted you; you are obviously oblivious as to what we are supposed to do.

SAMUEL:

And you’re not?

WALTER:

Well I’ve never induced anything like that before now have I?

SAMUEL:

Walter, I can’t stay here, I can’t just wait, I have to leave!

WALTER:

I think you’ll find that feeling will soon pass.

SAMUEL:

So what! What is there for me? What am I supposed to do?

WALTER:

Well, my boy, it seems the best thing for you to do is wait.

SAMUEL:

Just wait? You’ve got to be kidding me.

(beat)

Excuse me Maxwell, but do you have a smoke?

END

I feel I have neglected you quite long enough.

I’m going to start posting my writings, and art.

Instead of updates on life.

For life is mundane.

so it goes…