The RetroLounge Daily Poem Thread (Thu 5/21/2009)

[RetroLounge]

from Replica of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue, Fall 1900

Department of Telescopes

It seemed like suffering, or a lesser form of anguish,
though I'm not sure where it comes from,
watching the possum choose an eggshell
from the garbage can, there in the night orchard
of this minor city, the streetlight's hum so peculiar,
clumsy nest bright above the alley. I knew right then
the earth loved it more than me. A city possum,
no "o," no rat, two babies asleep on its back
and a hunger shot through with fear, with purpose.
In the awkwardness of its living, I feared the city
would abandon me. The possum, too.
I had grown accustomed to its visits.
It lived under the abandoned house down the street,
where the prostitute's body was found last winter,
where the walls grow gentle with rot, a gentleness
gone wrong, harm and permanence, whole and flaw.
Everything is sacrificed to something. To fill the spaces,
I guess. Ash in the trees, then the two stars come out,
the only ones the city allows, little-blue-star-pale-in-its-cups,
little-junkie-trackmarks-thanks-for-nothing.
The city has two mouths, the river and the sky,
both brown in the darkness, and open.
More than likely, there is a place inside the body
that is not afraid, but I haven't found it yet,
there is no returning. The hills bear down.
The possum is not jealous, moves slow
through the walls. We can lie down in our emptiness.

Joshua Poteat

**********

:hi:

RL

[Chorophyll]

1. ...

:wow:

The title kind of threw me off, but wow!

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

2. Yeah, it sneaks up on you...

:hi:

RL

[CaliforniaPeggy]

3. Lovely...

Especially this:

More than likely, there is a place inside the body
that is not afraid, but I haven't found it yet,
there is no returning. The hills bear down.

Thanks, Retro!

:hi:

[RetroLounge]

7. ...

:hi:

RL

[Tuesday Afternoon]

4. from where does this come? 1900?

from Replica of the Sears, Roebuck & Co. Catalogue, Fall 1900

nicely done whatever the origin.

:donut: :hi:

[RetroLounge]

5. Yeah, odd title...

:hi:

RL

[BlueIris]

6. Ah. That is so choice.

I'm going to have to see if he's published a book now...

[RetroLounge]

8. Let me know if you find one...

:hi:

RL