I wrote these image poems as part of a collaborative project based on Thom Yorke's new album, ANIMA. For the best experience, you can pair the words with these stunning visuals and the music. “Last I Heard (… He Was Circling the Drain)” music video directed by Art Camp and Saad Moosaje'; Spotify Visual Album Made at Art Camp.
HOPSCOTCH AND DRESSAGE ON THE MOTORWAY
Their favorite time of day was recess
fruit snacks and hopscotch
and horses, always horses, they all loved horses
D would always get on first
they were so jealous
One day she fell and couldn’t get up
They shook her and she couldn’t get up
Her skull was in two pieces
When the bell rang and they all went to math class
and the trucks barreled past
A CHURCH FULL OF MONKEYS
Behave yourself, grandson
Stop that shouting
A spaceship crashed through the stained-glass window
The pews are full of frosted cakes
fur sweet feet and peace peace peace
Our guests laugh at us confessing
Knowing where we’re going next
STRANGE REPORTS OF A BUCOLIC ROAD ACCIDENT OR A TRAFFIC FATALITY TREATED LIKE A PICNIC IN THE COUNTRYSIDE
Let’s remember the cold drinks
the ham and cheese
on nice fine checkered cloth doused in kerosine
and each flash of the camera is a smile of understanding
See I made this for you
We never talk
how's life
Her mouth moves like a ticking clock
Wish things were the way they used to be
Surround by friends and family
Holding hands, blank heads
Inflatable pillow for eternal rest
FLORIST SHOPS LINING STREETS NOTHING BUT FLORIST SHOPS HUNDREDS OF THEM
Everyone smiling and offering
Red pink white purple green
For your wife for your mother for your sister
Don’t cut us down we beg you don’t cut us down
The very best breath you ever did take
Came while you heard them all screaming
BIG FLYING BIRDS LIKE KITES OVER PLOUGHED FIELDS AND LANDFILL SITES VERY BEAUTIFUL
Gorgeous in flight
going this and that way
pulled by the hand of a child
Slipping slipping slipping up up and
out of sight to another place where he’ll forget all about you and your bright colors
and how aerodynamic you could be sometimes
Where the pile meets the horizon,
you try to wriggle free