Justin Marks


 

On the Making of Things

 

You must occupy places. You must be alone. You must be a surgeon specializing in amputations, on yourself, on others. You must be a prosthetic, for yourself and others. You must be and not be many things as much as possible.

These activities require solitude, always. Wear it, like a genetically engineered prosthetic. To break from solitude is a little death. You must face death, but not die. Remain alone in places. Know that no one will ever love or hate you as much as you already do.

 

 

Mantra

 

Terrycloth sun setting over
the old steel-wool river

The air a translucent sphere of frayed
twine

The truth can be so
lame
       Shifting forms
unchanging     My hands

know what they’re doing—