THE CHEMICAL FORMULA FOR SHADOWS

Take one physical light source — the sun
or a hundred-watt screwcap bulb —
and obstruct with carbon forms.


Remember one side must be all oxygen,
the other a vacuum. Nothing escapes
the force of the shadow. It draws in


organic matter and kitchen utensils the same.
Keep away from naked flame
and metals prone to oxidation.


Shadows are volatile substances
and fusion occurs where they cross —
the shadows grow heavy where they explode;


so heavy they stain where they fall.
It seems impossible to lift their shapes.
Remember one side must be all oxygen

FLOWERS ON LAMPOSTS

for JH


Talking to Marion on the corner of Chippinghouse
and Gamston, I remember the flowers
cable-tied to lamposts on the A57. Snakes pass
the wreckage of motorbikes. Helmets are scattered
down hillsides and bodies are bagged and counted.
Today I found out my mother had shadows.