Poetry
Sonnet 23 As an unperfect actor on the stage, Who with his fear is put beside his part, Or some fierce thing replete with too much rage, Whose strength’s abundance weakens his own heart; So …
the wilder shores of love cannot sustain life, so love is only an abstraction feral ghosts carve in the hard sand. the coconut’s endosperm is inedible, too salty, its meat without sweet. syringes and bottles …
Moment to Moment for Wallace Stevens 1 Orange poppy-speckled glass vase alone on a shelf, neck twisted to one side like nothing else in this guest room, you organize nothing. 2 Overbearing, that sleek leaf, …
An Insomniac’s Prayer I should have listened when they said it was unlucky to point at the moon and count the stars. But while at the mountain, I was foolish. Too close, I invaded their …
I thought yall cared about me I thought yall were different I defended you, all of you From the mean words other said I tell them how you helped me I tell them how you …
Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And never brought to mind? Should auld acquaintance be forgot, And auld lang syne! Chorus: For auld lang syne, my dear, For auld lang syne. We’ll tak a cup o’ …
A Bother Here’s Rocco now, sprawling across the keys; whatever I may try to write, he’s there in black and white, purring, rolling on his back to bite my fingers if he disagrees, minding my …
Native Scene The beasts of Jerusalem will murder him, but in the meantime the beasts of Bethlehem warm him with their breath. — Giovanni Papini Nights are still cold on the starry hillside; Dew still …
The Virgin Mother! whose virgin bosom was uncrost With the least shade of thought to sin allied. Woman! above all women glorified, Our tainted nature’s solitary boast; Purer than foam on central ocean tost; Brighter …
Bodiless You leave your signature like the atom whose footprint is its only proof, the pencil’s sharp point indenting the paper next to my poems’ lines. With what voice you have uncovered my concealed intentions, …
The Art of Denial If you ignore a thorn in your hand it will go away but first the hand gets infected, swells, turns coal-purple, and sometimes parts must be amputated to save what remains. …
On the Death of Richard West In vain to me the smiling Mornings shine, And reddening Phœbus lifts his golden fire; The birds in vain their amorous descant join; Or cheerful fields resume their green …
Bouzincourt The woods are full of the sound of birds and the doors of every village shuttered to the sun. In lingering fields of wheat, white crosses burn: the names of all our dead are …
Planting at Your Grave It is warm for November and the earth is dry and brittle, starved for flowers. I have to claw at the grass, pull it back by the hair trek back and …
Arthur and Guenevere in the Dark It’s possible she loves him less today Than yesterday. Could be he’s changed. Could be He’s failed to. Maybe — hypothetically — She’s been transported by another love. He …
Little Square Bales A high sky is here with that breeze from the west. Talkin’ rain Monday. Sabbath won’t be no day of rest. My brother’s out there now, baking up to the rake. Roll …