Not About Nebraska

Oh California!

You weave sun-drunk
threads to bind
our destinies.

You lay ebony
ribbons for me to
glide upon with
petroleum halos as
my only earthly contacts.

You slay the most
nefarious, with
cannibalistic hate
so as to keep the
less guilty able to grovel.

You inspire the darkest
of desires, the unholy
in the sunlight,
the primal effort
for identities gained,
by society's castaways.

You keep us warm,
gloriously & evenly
ruining us for other climes
forever so as to bind
us to your coastal breast.

Your blessings are curses
when removed from
these golden borders,
I am hindered
now as I visit
new emerald temples
like a defecting acolyte
finding new faith.

Your brand on my soul,
makes everything else
pale, in taste, color,
sound, gray-hollow
washed out experiences
paralyze me.

You send harpies
of yearning,
to lure me back
deep heartbeat signals
to cause doubt in my
instincts, to leave me weak
with confusion.

You send the spirits
of your California Prophets,
George Christie,
Jason Jessee,
Lana Del Rey,
HST,
Ginsberg,
Keroauc,
Kesey,
Sweet William Tumbleweed,
Lenore Kandel,
to goad me for
my betrayal &
lure me back
into your fold.

You ignore
my lamentations
for mercy
& promises of
fealty, pervading
images continue
to bombard my heart,
like daisy-cutters,
rolled out the backs
of C-130s.

Your sunsets remain,
deep-soul memories,
as here there are none
for the rain shades them,
as threats to domain,
& promises of warmer shores.