Flag Poem by Robert Combs

it's an old rule that drunks have to argue
and get into fights
the lover is just as bad
he falls into a hole.

last night the moon came dropping its
clothes in the street
I took it as a sign to start singing
falling up onto a branch of sky
the bowl breaks and
everywhere is falling everywhere
nothing else to hide

here's the new rule
break the wineglass
and fall into the glassblower's breath

inside this new love
die
your way begins on the other side
of the light
become the sky
take an axe to the prison wall
escape
walk out like someone suddenly born into color
do it now while
you're covered in pressed cloud drapery
slide out the side
hide
and be quiet
silence is the surest sign
you're dead
your old life was frantic running
from the silence
the wordless full moon
comes out now and
I want buyers for my words
at this instant I wish someone would
bargain me away from the alphabet





I've made a lot of nothing
images
scenes with life and life's father
who is also legendary for images of imagination
and faith but
I'm so tired of what I've been doing

then a reflection without form came
and I quit
look for someone else to tend the shop
I'm out of the wordman business

finally to know the freedom
of my madness

here a random image arrives I scream
get out
it disintegrates

only love
only the window
and the wind
no flag