Sunset Seeps into the Sky

a hymn or an advancing thesis

Though I don’t often foreground “meaning” in a poem, I think meaning seeps in often, anyway. I write and then, I can see the meaning later… and can hone it. The process is… “interesting” as I like to say.

This one is kind of hot off the press, and today… no audio though I may do it later in another, related post. I’m feeling a bit beleagured and so not “on” — but that will change. It always does. Going on a road trip soon! Packing!

Sunset 


the sunset seeps into the sky. a hymn
or an advancing thesis

rigor replaces precognition. an exercise in adversarial 
agitation

sometimes, we believe and other times— we do not. 
it is that simple

simplicity steps in and takes a bow, while the complex weave artificial garlands to 
replace the medals of heroes.  Those have undertaken the task of drilling holes in 
walls or moving concrete to enforce the repetition of vocables, iridescent under light searches and subject to the scrutiny of hands in the water 

the same dance steps
on another stage
instigate criminal passions 
we love to dance! 

a monstrous avocation, where angels lurk as avatars
dreams corrupt and skewer. grace— we only have so much patience

but who is this singular "we"? 
the waking nightmare, an ellipse on a trampoline
nodding off to

sunset seeps in

rock and roll under a neon bar sign

a presence is implied, but absent since. there is an 
expansion of longing

I live in a desert and howl at the moon on
a regular basis.  I am interred
as local and anonymous however —
anonymous and secret cloud dwellers will acknowledge that I am 
angular in the heavens—
and ascendant 

in the zoo—
we are handicapped by a dwelling, that is oblong and concrete and
encircled by a metal fence. not ornamental yet—
we are vital and able to 
dialogue 
for a fee! 

everything costs money, in particular a back and forth with a tiger
or leopard. the osmosis curtain 
is wavering because it is thin,the crafty will come on in—
unable to suppress their 
curiosity 

on the occasion of heresy
anoint the top of the head
and begin the 
explosives           
don’t hesitate to 
name the 
intruders, the spectral fakers—
who collapse 
the infidel
nomenclature







Max Wolf Valerio, June 21, 2026

Thanks again to all who read! I’m brainstorming new ways to present poetry and other content. And thanks for being here for the process!