Aleatory  Poetry  by    

Cheryl  Penn  (Part  2)  

 

 

Free Verse a·le·a·to·ry ˈālēəәˌtôrē,ˈal-/ adjective adjective: aleatory; adjective: aleatoric depending on the throw of a dice or on chance; random. relating to or denoting music or other forms of art (in this instance writing) involving elements of random choice (sometimes using statistical or computer techniques) during their composition, production, or performance.

In Cemeteries

by

Cheryl Penn

Images by Marie Wintzer (Japan)

what are you doing here? why did you come?

do you want the true Truth? the irony of upside down?

the nature of our world? Its what every character says before they die

just ANOTHER secret story. visions and war, flags

burdened waters you will help me? I plead the mercy of a King.

your fate is your design no one to guide me through off world dreams.

 no  other  serious  applicants  -­‐  and therein lies our future - there are no other

candidates for dust to dust except us, humanity.  he  killed  for  her  

he  loved  her  and  she  him.  

BUT  the  gaping hole in  his  heart  

he  never  saw  that  coming.    she floated to the top of her secrets Open your ears they NEVER stop hearing.

There’s a world in your world dwellings this place joined here to there.

 this is the music of my head

I heard it and suspected you heard it too - the only thing of value I could have written meeting again and again in different ages it is not yours or mine, it is ours.

Out  you  come  the  biggest  mistake    of  my  life    I was worried before I decided - I’ve  seen  too  much  of  the  world  

-­‐  death been  too  long  a  slave  the  pain  is  strong  (so  strong)  how  can  we  be  friends?     what do you need? what are you reading? Old letters the plot has taken a sensual turn a ghost writer a mystery.

the explosion the music of my dream the fragment that killed me I fell over the bridge hitting the water

running the manuscript drowned. belief like fear

climbing rocks in one direction headed two ways.

Forces remaking time and space continue after we perish moment to moment we understand a new potential direction is this possible?

Tombstones set in cherry blossoms new life sweeping the dead. the silence between the notes the best sound of all.

death its an old recording - honestly? He cant stop listening to life

a  symphony  of  beauty  a  handful  of  copies  

I know I know it 4 days of paradise what were the chances she still breathed here?

its cold among the granite. There WAS a choice continue as planned -

or die.

Most of the report was destroyed

If I help it will be worth the war take me to the secret garden where weather is whether the trip is fall. A hunger in their hearts for what? for more.

you need to rest let me concoct the secrets of death vaulted relationships past lives laughing at each other and yet,

I cant explain when I opened that door I knew your secrets.

While the past may call with enchantments of Sirens a coward chooses the weak way the secrets of his heart known to all except himself. touch the controls reveal the sepulchers if the tides keep rising the world will be under water in 50 days. so - that’s the secret? throw the bones see the seer through here its not what you’re used to but I think you will like it. Why did you cover for me?

Freedom? the seductive nature of civilization? what should we do with you? - The problem you create - is a celestial problem.

Intriguing that beneath there are thoughts that terrify (Concord),

The Truth is what happened to the agent of Discord?

Chalice on a grave

I found her, looking for the answers

take over, Introduce our tribe I was supposed to be at war

a minefield of secrets the setting sun

made EVERYTHING nervous. did you know the secret of him? no, but it wouldn’t have mattered it was the first time I was shown kindness. The sobbing the holding the secret trade. the blossoms fall and you look lovely. his life in video and the coward didn’t know.

What are you doing in my room? Reading my books, pinching my pockets a disappointing start. I am ( Filled in gaps) you do NOT wish to cross me. bare chested he

f e l l a victim of eternity PLEASE DON’T SHOOT as he flew and we set sail as soft as lead an addition to our crew.

No bridge! FOCUS! the gap the yaw stay with me I wont let you go

as we cross the abyss

and haul a stowaway from his hiding. A shot machine guns steady - solid - fire I have you I will hold you as we set sail like never before.

Are you leaving?

Yes! Tidal Styx To the land of the dead. I have better things to do

than turn to dust. this planet is flying and the castle glowering robbing a man of everything. //How do you know about Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn//? Kok Terek and Cancer Ward a single drop in a limitless Anguish Ocean. in my life it began again - wait! it was all so clear a minute ago -

the secrets are slipping away a gulf between these bridges transcendence of language what are you doing? they’ve found us! Your heart is slower than ours its comforting what time is it??

I’ve heard a melody grab a pen

a dream a nightmare café no way out the waitresses the same face

not like any I’ve ever seen. The mark in his neck, the scar it was a secret the mountain way a mirror and for the first time I was allowed to see who I was and who I might become. I.E. Their last hope of genetically modified support. Who will walk you through the details of your questions/ That closed door - THAT was what death would do. Have you ANY idea what time it is - I’ve invested for 12 years you’ve had your fun put an end to this game why are you doing this? the better question - what have you done to deserve this - I didn’t mean to hurt you sorry your penance is too late he sends his love. O the perfect horror.

Book made for An Encyclopedia of Everything - The Expanded Version, May 2015. A series of chapbooks of 9 chapbook and 1 book. Online Version available on http://collaborativecanto.blogspot.com Photographs from the on-line version courtesy of Marie Wintzer (Japan) taken in Yanaka cemetery, Tokyo.

Sing Me a Song

by

Cheryl Penn

Bricks cheated of their savings asked the question    

when there’s no body is it murder?

 O MAN! Get a Danish - it makes the mind clearer.   Get me some ice or a new partner A  lack  of  conviction  killer  philanthropy  she  wants  to  speak  to  you  (juvenile  services) Slow Move Towards AN Exit it roughs up the scouts AND she  wants  to  return  to  the  streets  where  she  can    

see

in the dark.      

and  be a  graceful    linerlocked folder in deep relief lost in patterns of Radiating Ladders.  let me show you something the gem of the orient

Buster Warenski’s metal cup with  viable  switchblades  

you have me confused with a rib jersey its my destiny

will we bleed out?

The notes made his hands burn the sky was so dark

the dance - he did not want to do this clashing swords mind your heads we can play but not forever one day it will be real

I said STOP! Oath of the Horatii

over the fireplace what/where was this anyway?  the best interrogator on the force Or  justice  counting  coins  

may I help you? the man, the myth or the legend? how are you dealing with this?    she’s scheduled to be displaced please step back a snatched kid what  don’t  you  understand?  track  the  blows  the  responsible  must  be  brought  to  justice  (Counting  Coins?)  I made a promise -

so?     I was up there we all know that much it was covered, but not at first you saw in the dark? I can see in the dark. I TOLD you

I can see in the dark.  

the city through the windows looked normal? leave now before it gets real. look into my eyes am I lying? mind  you    that’s  just  a  theory  if  I  didn’t  pay  who  did?  A  drop  off  point  -­‐    a  mastermind  

in  the  stratosphere.    

what are you talking about weather balloons rise up getting colder and colder brittle We all crack under pressure.  were you ever here?

the timing works out.

 if you find it will you let me go? that’s the deal lift the man hole she’ll use a pen to break free from the shadows lack of light and all that is not right. She  told  the  truth  you’re  going  to  need  these  while  she  runs  and  returns  to  the  streets  where    she  can  see  

in the dark.  to what do I owe this honour? Now that you mention this can we stop the dance? you have proof? I only heard Don’t be modest you’re the crown prince of parking lots what are you protecting?

who  gave  the  order  to  commit    the  offence  of  that  address?  There’s  a  rumor  

a  trouncing  revenge?

(…-­‐-­‐-­‐…)  How  did  you  get  this?  It  wasn’t  hard  it  will  give  you  nightmares  

I have those anyway he  promised    

do  you  BELIEVE?  he will try -

of that I am certain.      You  cant  but  trust  me  I told you

THERE’s A WAR COMING and

Nobody looks for a dead man.

This war why?  I just know its justice counting coins in desolate blocks a road trip and sultry voice believing that’s plenty BUT let me take a closer look - I need more than good pipes. I need a weapon. light as seeds I seem to have

fallen through time sing me a song of time that has gone send me a day cold and unseen trimmed with the sky the commander of moors are you here of your own

choice?

Steel blue gaze I appreciated your concern slipping on anger like a glove but I’m a guest

Very well then

STRIKE HER the high land of galloping hooves a heaviness the standing stones my own people on tumbling sands respect or hostility? the mud clung with no recognition a child that has seen too much. a village enemy territory but the horses were tall the men fierce will you sing me a song? follow me through

the lilac surprise always a story to tell

Are you famished? Need I say more?

You may look the part or informally the chief but I fail to understand a single word Y elusive at best. Yellow bulbs clashed with neon light the coffee was stale. What’s this?

dark sunlight tall medieval windows a tragic death a progressive plan for the asylum. The chandelier caught the light bulb flashes and bounced off tomorrow

- a day of celebration. Land is coming his way and the plates must be PERFECTLY clean.

What did we share you cross a line freedoms we take for granted on lands not our own. Puzzling? Your sympathies are muddied fired upon in broad daylight

Dark shadows shaped like books turning the pages of curiosity Holy Writ. Are you hiding?

Hiding?

About: Sing Me a Song Last year (2014), I received from Not-Hi-Ng (USA) a book of aleatory verse made with a pneumatic nail gun. This note accompanied his books: “For quite some time now I have been doing something I call Nail gun Poetry. It started out as homage to John Cage and his chance operations. Whereas his operations were quite complex ... mine are simpler than his. I use a pneumatic nail gun to shoot a nail through a text. The words that are touched by the nail become the words of my poems. I used a variety of texts and for this project I chose Finnegan’s Wake by James Joyce because Cage once subjected it to one of his chance operations and I felt it would be fitting”. Subjecting words to chance creates some very interesting word combinations. My words are harvested from Life. The gathering takes place over a few months, a little shuffling takes place and then the books are printed. It’s very satisfying, though not easily accessible. Book and chapbooks made in January 2015.

The second poem titled Black Box Theory is dedicated to Rod Summers.

   

           

OVERHEARD Overhead More

Forward than right here.

2 guards NOW! 5 o’clock on top of a

container GO! Port side men on the bridge on my count 17, 16,15 she had left already. INTERRUPTION a heroic effort

don’t decide who lives or dies YOU! you started a war you don’t know how to end. the heart of the heart is no longer possible

I choose survival by proof - a Legacy spirits on. so what now? you confide decide Unearth your own peace. meantime my tears freeze and the light dies.

? belongs to all of us.

He smothered him - no one saw that coming.

I have been patient I need to go. Do we know for sure? don’t spend your residuals running solutions

throw the penguins over the wall a lost hemisphere? tonight you will never see your world coming apart in a line of fire. Full watch all day the time to prepare is over - we’re harvested one by one. through the finger mist knife sharpened campfire just look at me

trust me. the violin taught you to focus mistake on the bridge

its been 2 days do you think they’re coming? (Raven Frown).

suns on other worlds rise lights flicker caught in a moon beam the engines begin again Is anyone there? gloom shadows smoldering gather knock the fire with wet leaves a power saw starts

pliers sparklers undone zips.

is one of those for me? I’m still deciding. I keep wanting to apologize - you don’t have to - we’re good. WHAT?? annoyance brings on a project - always. I’m not doing a project, I’m keeping us alive. Wait! We’re Good We’re Good

No internal access please defenses are down. We are We’re Good. they do it on purpose you know wild nuts and onions we must hunt.

defending is no defense against hunger don’t stay out after dark. I’ll just be tracking We’re Not Good. Where are you going? What makes you think I’m a janitor - these woods go alone and you’re dead - or worse. 3 bullets until you think of SOMETHING enhanced we talk though the

air the waves

are you there? we came down so gracefully a slow dive of flickering lights. Unshaven but can you hear me? What are the containment codes you’re not going to believe this but I see your reflection in opaque glass frames

unframed.

We were betrayed by force you know my mom voted for her. I wont leave you here we’re still floating after all this trouble did you think I wouldn’t be back? Torch light burning bright a man on top of the stairs blue pipes yellow warning more heat signals mix and match nothing from Audrey. (around the compound

like quick silver molecules).

Report! Do you hear me? Can you cut access? I have to tell Kate to move NOW! MOVE! Hollow cheeks in green lights backfire window fall TAC Team with Choppers Connection lost we’re also leaving now. START THE ENGINES I’ll paint the bridge.

A car pulls up with two men down crimson seep fain a breath lonely tears stay with me stay with me stay with me ok - STAY WITH ME the void the dark the fall. Is it all worth it? I can hear the pumps where there are others. the flickering

its getting stronger. marks on the rocks no joke the best part? quiet for a second or longer prefer forever. The tracks are too perfect Miles. Run! chop chop blue eyes stare into green the raven warrior. how’s the air in here? the apartments? I’m still breathing - Manually.

I hear a car in the drive (way)

His? Central cooling exchange oysters move the people to cool pastures while I monitor 10%’s - they’re on the rise and taking over to higher camps. whispers dead miles they don’t care what we saw more passages less bridges on your knees cut the binding, help her if she dies he dies rest in peace that’s us there’s a pressure door game over! Please would be nice! Orange and Red lights monitoring do you read? Go ahead its good to hear your voice you’re too stubborn to die/live/be-not/be. Mess Halls, fires in our eyes its backwards, blocked its all trickling out.

gather and consent to the jumble

my chair is shiny and leaves rise in unexpected breezes. I cant just leave them battling to breathe. Station by station torch light unknown wires hey - the presidents right to feel you know me push together or die. Her name is Trace why do you think I can do this? she was on the bridge when it left you did this to here and there you’ll have to fix her spin a word its stranger than that like something was jamming their waves pulling their drives rendering them unable. static the ark is not there can you hear me? pull the yellow wire the hunters are back. Raven watches he slices evil man. How do you know? I just know.

don’t waste your time don’t mistake her for someone who cares

the static got to her dawn. her sun can no longer shine.

Do this. I need this. Fine! the car pulls in I’d better switch off I’m not that guy good. She’s getting worse no air in her passages its not shrapnel its trauma. Is it true you created a list of children?

pressure a small tube bone masks leather coats feel WAIT the ship is still free falling the locks are closed

by the way I gave you an order.

we could have slept beyond this a wise man said, I need to learn when not to listen. A wise man? Thank you. What now? She’s Hot septic her blood is poisoned its how we train them to be warriors. the weight on top is bearable to bear but she left immediately red jacket torch light did that help? there are always casualties. steel fridges reflect glass lids hand wave cosmic kick fire steam black scars you should have breached the perimeter prepare to - HOLD THAT ORDER I have a connection and you’re being recorded tell them who you are tell them who you are did you get that?

10.32 10.36.46 back lit screens the penguins are on course can we engage? Red Crimea Green Lights Brown Eyes Traitor smile. A handle to hot to hold talk softly the near-dead hear just whispers. Can your hear me? Wake up let me hold you back to life. the fur was warm where his body lay. the leaves are listening there is someone overhead? still she runs through the forest alive with blue and oysters. Can you hear me? Words on the floor while They run

tripped up downside up supervised motion only for playbacks at half speed.

About: Overheard Overhead More Forward Than Right Here (1 Book and edition of 6 chapbooks) - September 2014. This is my 4th book of aleatory (related to chance) poetry – or I guess its better-termed free verse. Lines of words stand in a queue waiting for their turn to appear on a page. Sometimes the queue is so long I forget until I can get to pen and paper; then there they are again, needing to be part of no sequential, edited text, just written down and appearing together.

Screen Mediated (Roughly) Human

Unity Day Day Trip Contents under Pressure. Peace Brokerage -

One Penguin? I count two boats and a helicopter. I’ve got some bad news - how bad?

I had to believe - It’s a new album and the sky is full of stars. Deep down - Do I know you? just don’t try come here at night.   We never talked much but I wanted to. Frown photocopied replicated a million times so impolite.   Extant - its grim to be 100. This is the story of a little boy - stop me if you’ve heard this before - you have, but don’t stop me. Light through the rose window dove on the slate. He survived - but there was a choice. Is he suffering or is he grateful

He changed. Changed?

 

The story of a little girl, 8 years old high on the swing suspended before the chains clash and gravity drives you down. Undeterred to a dimly lit room filled with the burdened.   Kicked - The grimace of Justin free falling through

cracks in the paint.   Will you set her free? And leave to

where? Torch in the eye a departure. I got this one - do you want to press charges? No.

There you go and here we are again an occupational hazard.   Nights are tough for me

I’m sorry. Open the white curtains,

let the glare in and

the lift with a clown.

red balloons smooth the bed covers because the girl woke up and still they

watch. I’d like to talk to you - on a

personal matter. Beep, sweep, clean channel change

rehang the candles wipe the stain answer the knock -

Are you Open?

How long will it take? With the color of reflected light and sharpened ambience just a minute

Or more to die.

Press stop, we can always rewind

Life? I HAD to defragment you - WHAT? You charged around in my mind while shaving? Go fetch your stuff quit whining I need perfection.

Where were you when we became

champions?

Strange man

in a dark cellar one light bulb unknown image matrix.

Athena conducts we have a location. Despite the dust mites and the jungle I’ll come get you. 43 minutes 12 seconds - how was your day? Trigger the alarm - Good shot small boy.

Do you feel safe - why do you do this, why do you torture yourself it feels like it will never end it will end get Sam lets run the house is closing in.    DUZG34 Linda is ready for a swim. Candle vigil

why are you playing these files? The window to the water closed she couldn’t breathe (breathe) and the house shot him. are you ready for it

are you ready for it He was almost human.

Slow roasting coffee beans through the longest pipes - right now its just treated a malfunction - they were killed by their own security system. give out the flyers a lot of people were not practicing

due diligence - a crisis in a house of cards

its coming

like a dark horse. do you really want to play with magic do you dare to do this are you ready for THAT?

live another day - this one is full. Its starting to feel like home

now that sounds like a country song. candle light

(many of) telephone call hello Lilean contratulations

peace between us is very difficult

you crossed the line the border yes well two stabs and I have. Daddy, lets go I’m better - shall we?

Are you visiting for the first/last time? its not your call. That’s a long list of suspects like long pipes personal details

that lead no where - we should respect that. I hate being probed. its not a perfect world

The human connection is messy.  

Please come this way through the glass doors of my predecessor. Crime rates are on the rise you will be safe-ish wherever you prefer the refracted image leap.

Drip in a tin hand a memory trigger from out of nowhere are

we not

transparent? How do you pretend to protect? Rigorous checks killed by a volley of gunfire. It took 10 minutes for them to find me

the facts are dangerous.

 let me know

if the lights in the road the bulbs in the city the vigil turn blue because SOMETHING is on your mind. The head images - just a child projecting screens of natural gas.

scaffolding building the answers to the advantage of knowing. Disable the embers hack the hackers accessing In real time a tradition a party of parties aphids.

they’re not amateurs. push boundaries you have to blend in this time she’ll come through

but still no speaking. Is this the right place? strobes

cabinets virtual reality - hand it over,

reality sucks virtually.

 

Love is in the air Mom I said yes. all we need is love and a place to call home on a death toll of 23 from one road accident Why were they even born? Step back in time

to an interactive ear. Family packages available.   Cut and paste insurance for being almost human. These are the images you saw?

I DID experience it - the experience in the room

your neural network kept me company.

The  discussions  about  life  and    mail-­‐bride  order  catalogues.     the conversations we had

did you keep them? 80 on Red. We’re friends,

don’t keep things from me the blink of a lie.  

honor Aaron civil disobedience protestors hiding behind screens I had nothing to do with death my system went offline. I  said  I  would  pay  you  back  Its  all  in  a  brown  paper  bag  I’m  sure  he’ll  get  shot.  But  I  was  wrong  it  was  a  Rock.  

She was filed as a missing person.  If you’re looking for a meal, there’s a shelter on the other side - two head signatures - red lights - falling rain blood mingled he left the victim and ran. no sirens -

lets go! - Before her father finds out. a gun

against eternity no sirens Forever must not be warned. weak but alive on a flotation device

what lies behind dark curtains and steam pipes the torch light his work room its not him

he has duplicated his life. Discovered his death

in missing evidence.

charger you choose enjoy benefits from power to you power house built for a question what is enough for the day I am not around? Knowledge rolled up its sleeves again and rolled out the answer. Primetime the rules have changed in theater week. fresh take old spin on new cockroach skitters where are its mates the hive the nest breakfast for you

Degenerate disease assembled parts for permanent solutions. the evidence is self evident the genetic printer went missing. Personal time?

No. I’m good. You finished his work and cleared his name DRRN reporting glowing reviews positive impressions sore jaw where the retort struck. China town. I followed your locator chip wonder what it is?

A leg. 20% more power but Rudy pulled strings.

Listen, I know I’m barely human but I’m glad we’re together to the enemy: you did that’s the nicest thing -

dude! please don’t do that

I was made to feel (slippery eel with noodles)

robbery in progress HEY! you left your leg.

ABOUT Screen Mediated Roughly Human (Blogged on http://an-encyclopedia-of-everything.blogspot.co.za/2014/08/screen-mediated-roughly-human.html August 2014) The creation of aleatory free verse is proving to be a very interesting experience. The lines don’t seem forced, and there is no compelling reason to remain within the constraints of sequential thought. The ideas that are then recorded are often surprising as this sort of work is done in one sitting and minor editing takes place ONLY in the aesthetics of text. Aesthetics of text - there’s such a thing?