The Numbers

Poetry. The poems in this volume are but representatives of Gordon Massman's life-long project, now 1193 poems deep, each merely numbered in the order it was written, and which when completed will form a psychographic autobiography. This self-analytical project is thus far passionately realized and rewardingly told in this unusual collection. From 370: If I could stick my tongue through the fat portion/ of my palm, completely through so that it waggles on/ the other side, like a worm or a soft sword; there/ I would find God: an ordinary tongue, an ordinary/ hand, but an extraordinary moment -- the tongue penetrating/ the soft lips of a hand which water -- close around it/ when withdrawn. God would be there -- I am certain -- / where the flesh gave way to the wetness, where the/ little opening parted for the rooting tip, magically.