confined by change
by the aware yet archaic brain
by the thought
the emotions
by evolution
for or against
restricted by the lungs
neuro-plasticity
choice
fallacy
and function
constrained by rightness
and non-essential wisdom
confined to the limiting possibilities
limited by time
the four directions
Newtonian physics
metaphysics
quantum mechanics
oxygen
and ether
confined by imprecise language
by imprecise education
by certainty and uncertainty
encircled by the world-savers
the time-wasters, the paper-faced
ensnared by the black mosquito
or mile marker 146
or this time
or no time
or anything
less than
more than
or nowhere
confined by the lines in the road
by 29 miles to go
confined in ability
confined in unknown bias
unknown and known galaxies
known and unknown loves
confined by this poem
there or here
back and forth
or not back and forth
drowning in impotent ideas
morals, values, ethics
or lack thereof
confined by no judgment
or too much judgment
or just enough
or just right
deadened by politeness
by tambourines
by porcelain
or locomotives of faith
pounding on you like
broken piano keys
sedated by the rising concrete
and moreover, and therefore
forced under by too much
or not enough
forced under by rotted vegetables
or a burnt out headlight
confined by psychological voyeurism
peering in during the last
moments of solitude
or perhaps
confined by underwater warfare
by changing sides
and walking home afterward
shoes blow to smithereens
being set free by the breathtakingly plain
and ultimate conclusion
is as decent a thing
as anyone can know
-
Joseph Osel is an artist and writer.
Joseph Osel is an artist and writer.
A version of "A Carnal Hypothesis" was first published by The Cooperpoint Journal in 2008.
