Aleatory Poetryby

Cheryl Penn(Part 2)

Free Versea·le·a·to·ryˈālēəˌtôrē,ˈal-/adjectiveadjective: aleatory; adjective: aleatoricdepending 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 saysbefore they die

just ANOTHERsecret story.

visions and war, flagsburdened 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

candidatesfor dust to dustexcept us,humanity.

he killed for herhe loved herand she him.

BUT the gaping hole in his heart

he never saw that coming. she floated to the top of her secretsOpen your ears

they NEVER stop hearing.

There’s a world in your worlddwellingsthis place joinedheretothere.

this is the music of my head

I heard itand suspectedyou heard it too -the only thing of valueI could have written meeting again and again

in different agesit is not yours or mine,it is ours.Out you comethe biggest mistake of my life I was worriedbefore I decided -I’ve seen too much of the world

- deathbeen too long a slavethe pain is strong (so strong)

how can we be friends?

what do you need?what are you reading?Old lettersthe plot has takena sensual turna ghost writera mystery.

the explosion the music of my dream

the fragment that killed meI fellover the bridgehitting the water

runningthe manuscript drowned.

belief like fearclimbing rocksin one directionheaded two ways.

Forces remaking time and spacecontinue after we perishmoment to moment

we understanda new potential direction

is this possible?

Tombstones set in cherry blossomsnew lifesweeping the dead.the silence between the notesthe best sound of all.

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

a symphony of beautya handful of copies

I know I know it4 days of paradisewhat were the chancesshe still breathed here?

its cold among the granite.

There WAS a choicecontinue as planned -

or die.

Most of the report was destroyed

If I help it will be worth the wartake me to the secret gardenwhere weather is whetherthe trip is fall.A hunger in their heartsfor what?for more.

you need to restlet me concoctthe secrets of deathvaulted relationships past liveslaughingat each otherand yet,

I cant explainwhen I opened that doorI knew your secrets.

While the past may callwith enchantments of Sirensa coward choosesthe weak waythe secrets of his heartknown to allexcept himself.touch the controlsreveal the sepulchers if the tides keep rising the world will be under waterin 50 days.so - that’s the secret?throw the bonessee the seerthrough hereits not what you’re used tobut 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 thatterrify (Concord),

The Truth iswhat happened to the agent of Discord?

Chalice on a graveI found her,

looking for the answerstake over,Introduce our tribeI was supposed

to be at wara minefield of secretsthe setting sun

made EVERYTHINGnervous.

did you know the secret of him?no, but it wouldn’t have matteredit was the first timeI was shown kindness.

The sobbing the holding the secret trade.

the blossoms falland you look lovely. his life in videoand the coward didn’t know.

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

bare chestedhe

fella victimof eternityPLEASE DON’T SHOOT as he flewand we set sail as soft as leadan addition to our crew.

No bridge!FOCUS!the gapthe yawstay with meI wont let you go

as we cross the abyss

and haul a stowawayfrom his hiding.A shotmachine guns

steady - solid - fireI have youI will hold youas we set saillike never before.

Are you leaving?Yes!Tidal StyxTo the land of the dead.I have better things to do

than turn to dust.

thisplanet is flyingand the castle gloweringrobbing a manof everything.

//How do you know about Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn//?Kok Terek and Cancer Warda single dropin a limitless Anguish Ocean.

in my lifeit began again - wait!it was allso clear a minute ago -

the secrets are slipping awaya gulf between these bridgestranscendence of language

what are you doing?they’ve found us!

Your heart is slower than oursits comfortingwhat time is it??I’ve heard a melodygrab a pen

a dreama nightmare caféno way outthe waitressesthe same face

not like any I’ve ever seen.

The mark in his neck,the scarit was a secretthe mountain waya mirrorand for the first timeI was allowed to seewho I wasand who I might become.I.E.Their last hopeof genetically modified support.Who will walk you throughthe 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 funput an end to this gamewhy are you doing this?

the better question -what have you done to deserve this - I didn’t mean to hurt yousorryyour 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 savingsasked the question

when there’s no bodyis it murder?

O MAN! Get a Danish - it makes the mind clearer.

Get me some iceor a new partnerA lack of convictionkiller philanthropyshe wants to speak to you(juvenile services)Slow Move Towards AN Exitit roughs up the scoutsANDshe wantsto return to the streets where she can

seein the dark.

and bea graceful linerlocked folder in deep relief lost in patterns of Radiating Ladders. let me show you somethingthe gem of the orient Buster Warenski’s metal cupwith viable switchblades

you have me confusedwith a rib jerseyits my destiny will we bleed out?

The notes madehis hands burnthe sky was so dark

the dance -he did not want to do thisclashing swordsmind your heads we can playbut not foreverone day it will be real

I said STOP!

Oath of the Horatiiover the fireplacewhat/where was this anyway?

the best interrogatoron the forceOr justicecounting coins

may I help you?the man, the myth or the legend?how are you dealing with this?

she’s scheduled to be displacedplease step back a snatched kidwhat don’t you understand?track the blowsthe responsible must be brought to justice(Counting Coins?)I made a promise -

so?

I was up therewe all know that muchit was covered,but not at firstyou saw in the dark?I can see in the dark.I TOLD you

I can see in the dark.

the city through the windows lookednormal?leave nowbefore it gets real.look into my eyes am I lying?mind you that’s just a theoryif I didn’t pay who did?

A drop off point - a mastermind

in the stratosphere.

what are you talking aboutweather balloons rise upgetting colder and colderbrittleWe all crack under pressure.

were you ever here?

the timing works out.

if you find itwill you let me go?that’s the deallift the man holeshe’ll use a pen to break freefrom the shadowslack of lightand all that is not right.She told the truthyou’re going to need thesewhile she runsand returns to the streets where she can see

in the dark.

to what do I owe this honour?Now that you mention thiscan we stop the dance?you have proof?I only heardDon’t be modestyou’re the crown prince of parking lotswhat are you protecting?

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

a trouncingrevenge?

(…---…)

How did you get this?It wasn’t hardit will give you nightmares

I have those anywayhe promised

do you BELIEVE?he will try -

of that I am certain.

You cant but trust meI told you

THERE’s A WAR COMINGand

Nobody looks for a dead man.

This warwhy?I just know its justice counting coinsin desolate blocks

a road trip and sultry voicebelieving that’s plentyBUTlet me take a closer look - I need more than good pipes.I need a weapon.

light as seedsI seem to have

fallen through timesing me a songof time that has gonesend me a daycold and unseentrimmed with the skythe commander of moorsare you here of your own

choice?Steel blue gazeI appreciated your concernslipping on angerlike a glovebut I’m a guest

Very well then

STRIKE HERthe high landof galloping hoovesa heavinessthe standing stonesmy own people on tumbling sandsrespect or hostility?the mud clungwith no recognitiona child that has seen too much.

a village enemy territory but the horses were tallthe men fiercewill you sing me a song?

follow methrough the lilac surprisealwaysa story to tell

Are you famished?Need I say more?

You may look the partor informally the chiefbutI fail to understand a single wordYelusiveat best.

Yellow bulbs clashed with neon light the coffee was stale.What’s this?dark sunlight tall medieval windowsa tragic deatha progressive plan

for the asylum.The chandelier caughtthe light bulb flashesand bounced off tomorrow

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

What did we shareyou cross a linefreedoms we take for grantedon lands not our own.Puzzling?Your sympathies are muddiedfired upon in broad daylight

Dark shadowsshaped like booksturning the pages ofcuriosityHoly 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 OverheadMore

Forwardthan right here.

2 guardsNOW!5 o’clock on top of a

containerGO!Portsidemen on the bridgeon my count17, 16,15

she had left already.

INTERRUPTIONa heroic effort

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

I choosesurvival by proof -a Legacy spirits on.

sowhat now?you confidedecideUnearth your own peace.

meantimemy tears freezeand the light dies.

? belongsto all of us.He smothered him -

no one saw that coming.

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

throw the penguins over the walla lost hemisphere?

tonightyou will never see your world coming apartin a line of fire.Full watchall daythe time to prepareis over - we’reharvested one by one.

throughthe finger mistknife sharpened campfirejust look at me

trust me. the violin taught youto focusmistake on the bridge

its been 2 daysdo you thinkthey’re coming? (Raven Frown).

suns on other worlds riselights flicker

caught in a moon beamthe engines begin againIs anyone there?

gloom shadowssmoldering gatherknock the fire withwet leavesa power saw starts

plierssparklersundone zips.

is one of those for me?I’m still deciding.I keep wanting toapologize - 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 GoodWe’re Good

No internal access pleasedefenses are down.

We areWe’re Good.they do it on purposeyou knowwild nutsand onionswe must hunt.

defending is nodefense against hunger

don’t stay out after dark.

I’ll just be trackingWe’re Not Good.Where are you going?What makes you thinkI’m a janitor - these woodsgo aloneand you’re dead - or worse.3 bullets until you think ofSOMETHING enhancedwe talk though the

airthe waves

are you there?

we came downso gracefullya slow diveof flickering lights.

Unshavenbut can you hear me?What are the containment codesyou’re not going to believe thisbut I seeyour reflection in opaque glass frames

unframed.

We were betrayedby forceyou know

my mom voted for her.I wont leave you herewe’re still floatingafter all this troubledid you think I wouldn’t be back?

Torch lightburning brighta man on top of the stairsblue pipes yellow warningmore heat signalsmix and matchnothing from Audrey.(around the compound

likequick silver molecules).

Report!Do you hear me?Can you cut access?I have to tell Kate to moveNOW! MOVE!Hollow cheeks in green lightsbackfirewindow fallTAC Team with ChoppersConnection lostwe’re also leaving now.

START THE ENGINESI’ll paint the bridge.

A car pulls upwith two men downcrimson seep

fain a breathlonely tears stay with mestay with mestay with meok - STAY WITH MEthe voidthe darkthe fall.Is it all worth it?

I can hear the pumpswherethere are others.the flickering

its getting stronger.marks on the rocksno jokethe best part?quiet for a secondor longerprefer forever.

The tracks are too perfectMiles.Run!chop chopblue eyes stareinto greenthe 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 exchangeoysters

move the peopleto cool pastureswhile I monitor10%’s - they’re on the rise and taking overto higher camps.

whispersdead milesthey don’t care what we sawmore passagesless bridgeson your kneescut the binding,help herif she dieshe dies

rest in peacethat’s usthere’s a pressure doorgame over!Please would be nice!Orange and Red lightsmonitoringdo you read?Go aheadits good to hear your voiceyou’re too stubborn to die/live/be-not/be.Mess Halls,fires in our eyesits backwards,blockedits all trickling out.gatherand consentto the jumble

my chair is shinyand leaves rise inunexpected breezes.

I cant just leave thembattling to breathe.Station by stationtorch lightunknown wireshey - the presidents rightto feelyou know mepush together or die.

Her name is Tracewhy do you think I can do this?she was on the bridge whenit leftyoudid this to hereand thereyou’ll have to fix herspin a wordits stranger than thatlike something was jamming their wavespulling their drivesrendering them unable.

staticthe ark is not therecan you hear me?pull the yellow wirethe hunters are back.Raven watcheshe slicesevil man.How do you know?I just know.

don’t waste your timedon’t mistake herfor someone who caresthe static got to her dawn.her sun

can no longer shine.

Do this.I need this.Fine!the car pulls inI’d better switch offI’m not that guygood.She’s getting worseno air in her passagesits not shrapnelits trauma.Is it true you createda list of children?

pressurea small tubebone masksleather coatsfeelWAITthe ship is still free fallingthe locks are closed

by the wayI gave you an order.

we could have slept beyondthisa wise man said, I need to learn when not to listen.A wise man?Thank you.What now?She’s Hot

septicher blood is poisonedits how we train themto be warriors.

the weight on topis bearable to bearbut she left immediatelyred jackettorch lightdid that help?there are always casualties.

steel fridgesreflectglass lidshand wavecosmic kickfire steamblack scarsyou should have breached the perimeterprepare to -HOLD THAT ORDERI have a connectionandyou’re being recorded tell them who you are tell them who you are did you get that?

10.3210.36.46back lit screensthe penguins are on coursecan we engage?Red CrimeaGreen LightsBrown Eyes

Traitor smile.

A handle to hot to holdtalk softlythe near-deadhear just whispers.Can your hear me?Wake uplet me hold you back to life.the fur was warmwhere 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 updownside upsupervised motion onlyfor 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 DayDay TripContents 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 muchbut I wanted to.Frown photocopiedreplicated a million timesso 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 windowdove on the slate.He survived - but there was achoice.Is he sufferingor is he grateful

He changed.Changed?

The story of a little girl,8 years oldhigh on the swingsuspendedbefore the chains clashand gravity drives you down.Undeterredto a dimly lit roomfilled with

theburdened.

Kicked - The grimace of Justinfree falling through

cracksin 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 meI’m sorry.Open the white curtains,

let the glare inand

the lift with a clown.

red balloons smooth the bed coversbecause thegirl woke upand stillthey

watch.

I’d like to talk to you -on a

personal matter.Beep, sweep, cleanchannel change

rehang the candles wipe the stainanswer the knock -

Are you Open?

How long will it take?With the color of reflected lightand sharpened ambiencejust a minuteOr moreto die.

Press stop,we can always rewindLife?I HAD to defragment you -WHAT?You charged around in my mindwhile shaving?Go fetch your stuffquit whiningI need perfection.

Where were you when we becamechampions?

Strange man

in a dark cellarone light bulbunknown image matrix.

Athena conductswe have a location.Despite the dust mitesand the jungleI’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 vigilwhy are you playing these files?The window to the water closedshe couldn’t breathe(breathe) and the houseshot him.are you ready for itare you ready for itHe was almost human.

Slow roasting coffee beansthrough the longest pipes - right now its just treated

a malfunction - they werekilledby their ownsecurity system.give out the flyersa lot of people werenotpracticingdue diligence -a crisis in a house of cardsits cominglike a dark horse.

do you really want to play with magicdo you dare to do thisare 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 callhello Lileancontratulations

peace between us is very difficult

you crossed the linethe borderyes welltwostabs and I have.

Daddy, lets goI’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 pipespersonal detailsthat lead no where - we shouldrespect that.I hate being probed.its not a perfect world

The human connection is messy.

Please come this waythrough the glass doorsof my predecessor.

Crime rates are on the riseyou will be safe-ish wherever you preferthe refracted image leap.

Drip in a tin handa memory triggerfrom out of nowhereare we not transparent?How do you pretend toprotect?Rigorous checkskilled by a volleyof gunfire.It took 10 minutes for themto find me

the factsaredangerous.

let me know

ifthe lights in the roadthe bulbs in the citythe vigilturn bluebecause SOMETHING is onyour mind.The head images -just a childprojecting screens of natural gas.

scaffoldingbuilding the answerstothe advantage of knowing.

Disable the embershack the hackersaccessingIn real timea tradition a party of partiesaphids.they’re not amateurs.push boundaries you have to blend inthis time she’ll come through

but still no speaking.

Is this the right place?strobes

cabinetsvirtual reality -hand it over,

realitysucksvirtually.

Love is in the airMom I said yes.all we need is loveand a placetocall home ona death tollof 23 from oneroad accidentWhy were they even born?Step back in timeto an interactive ear.Family packages available.

Cut and paste insurancefor beingalmost 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 lifeand 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 Aaroncivil disobedienceprotestorshiding behind screensI had nothing to do with deathmy system went offline.I said I would pay you backIts all in a brown paperbagI’m sure he’ll get shot.But I was wrongit was aRock.

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 mingledhe left the victim and ran.no sirens -

lets go! -Before her father finds out.

a gunagainst eternityno sirensForever must not be warned.weakbut aliveon a flotation device

what lies behind dark curtainsand steam pipesthe torch light his work roomits not him

he has duplicated his life. Discovered

his deathin missing evidence.chargeryou chooseenjoy benefits from power to youpower housebuilt for a questionwhat is enough for the day I am not around?Knowledge rolled up its sleeves again and rolled out the answer.Primetimethe rules have changedin theater week.fresh takeold spin on new cockroach skitterswhere are its matesthe hivethe nest

breakfast for youDegenerate disease

assembled partsfor permanent solutions.the evidenceis self evidentthe genetic printer went missing.Personal time?

No.I’m good.

You finished his workand cleared his nameDRRN reportingglowing reviews positive impressionssore jawwhere the retort struck.China town.I followed your locator chip

wonder what it is?A leg.20% more powerbut Rudy pulled strings.Listen,I know I’m barely humanbut I’m glad we’re togetherto the enemy: you didthat’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.

ABOUTScreen Mediated Roughly Human(Blogged on http://an-encyclopedia-of-everything.blogspot.co.za/2014/08/screen-mediated-roughly-human.htmlAugust 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?