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
ANOTHER
just 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.
explosion
the 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
EVERYTHING
made 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 and his and
blossoms fall you look lovely. life in video 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 it it so
my life began again wait! was all clear a minute ago -
a
the secrets are slipping w ay 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
BELIEVE?
do you 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 and
glare in
the lift with a
clown.
red
balloons smooth the bed covers because the girl woke up and still they
watch. I’d like to on a
talk
to you -
personal matter. Beep, sweep, clean channel change rehang the candles wipe the stain answer the knock -
Are you Open?
it
How long will 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 champions?
you
when we became
Strange man
dark
in a cellar one light bulb unknown image matrix.
conducts we have a location. Athena
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 Candle vigil
why
swim.
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. Â
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?
DID
I 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 the blink of a lie.
things
from me
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. his death in missing evidence.
Discovered
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-ofeverything.blogspot.co.za/2014/08/screen-mediated-roughlyhuman.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?