Content Warning: themes of death & mental health

Alexander Mint – Three Times Clockwise Round the Stupa

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1

Human life is founded on death;

I walk with the gait of my fathers.

My mothers are reborn in my children.

In this circle no gain much loss

a reckoning at the base of our gene.

I end here, complete as my name

in this sac male body

in my earth works and word plays

I start and end at a point

and the soul continues.

I know the weakness

that spells my death

it’s mercury, quicksilver

I’m half in and half out

of this one, team

already passed away

from bliss.

29.

Find myself in a place I am not.

Funny that filled in delta,

funny that stranger’s home.

Somewhere there’s a bell for me,

but I shan’t find it going this way

past the cactus flower, toward the car,

back to the road, my way of life,

this way is a dark crystal.

2

I must follow the tiger’s eye

must lurk in the peace

until it impassions

breathe the scents into

the places they overwhelm

locks everywhere unlock

green beams from the leaf

point on the wheel turns under wheel

and there is no point.

Alex, you pinched in.

Cut off the sense from the place.

Lied.

Love is not optional.

Withheld it swells

pus fills the vacancy; it’s hell.

A grey place lit up by lightning

still grey. Near the halfway point

I’ll feel worse when I’m older,

but I’ll feel better about it.

I think it’s criminal, Mr. Mint,

I think it’s criminal

what they’re doing to you.

He is doing it to hisself.

3

I am in the wrong place, not in love

caught in the red delta sands

holding up a flag.

I am not on the computer.

I am changing.

I need to take care of my self.

I am in need of touch

p l e a s u r e

I can’t give myself.

Release

life

Amherst

              Spring.

Knowing this to be true

I roll my eyes from blue

and yellow bursts over my crown.