Emily XYZ

Tiger Stadium

The sun shines on
tiger stadium / the sun
that is no more shines on
tiger stadium / the tiger
stadium that is no more / why
if you meet the Buddha
are you supposed to
kill him / tigers
that are no more shine
in the sun / the sun
that is no more shines on
the invisible stripes
that run down
haggard streets of
Detroit where
houses burn like popcorn and
cost as much / why
if you see the Buddha
are you supposed to
turn away
are you supposed to
turn inward and see why
if you see the Buddha
coming your way are you
supposed to cross the street
are you supposed to cross
are you supposed to
avoid that which is
not / tiger stadium burns
no more in the sun the sun
teaches you got to
burn to shine you see
the Buddha burning
in the popcorn heat
of the sun
in the haggard block, lines
drawn thru it / stripes on
its back / you see
the Buddha burning in the stadium,
stripes on his back
cross the street
cross the street
that is
no more namaha
cross the street
that is not
cross the street
that is
that is
what is
known as
illusion

 

 

 
EMILY XYZ

Emily XYZ is a poet, writer and spoken-word artist best known for her musical/rhythmic work for two voices.  She is the author of The Emily XYZ Songbook and will be in QLD from July to September 2010, as Arts QLD Poet-in-Residence.