Transient

We don't forget,

but something vacant settles in us.

—Roland Barthes, from “Mourning Diary”

This time whatever that something is

isn’t checking in just for the duration.

NB: My thanks to Bob Arnold for this one.

Revisionist Poetics

Of what is left, suppress

What’s worthless, surely

Whatever’s priceless

Rewrites the rest.

Huuklyeand Cinquor on Buffoonery in Poets

It’s ridiculous humoring poets who now think

Their work has turned grave—

These people were clowns way back when 

They thought they were dead serious.

 

Not One Universe

— for William Michaelian, fellow star trekker

Unable to find the time,

We fall asleep

With one unfinished verse still

Running through our mind—

Billions of galaxies

In the universe

One can’t even dream

Of waking up in time.

Huuklyeand Cinquor on Why Begging the Question Never Pays

Get smart, mendicant—

You wouldn’t be holding your hand out

Asking yourself why, if someone gave you

Their two cents’ worth every time

You said something stupid in reply.

Moderator’s comments: Cinquor, en archei aiteisthai or hysteron proteron?

Poetry Salzburg Review #18

 

Recently Received: Meligalas’ sad sack version of Hermes Trismegistus delivered the latest issue of Poetry Salzburg Review yesterday afternoon. I’m pleased to see poet and translator friend Mario Domínguez Parra’s poems gracing this fine poetry magazine a few pages away from those of yours truly—now that is a pleasant coincidence!

Hands Down

I swear it’s no contest—

No matter how difficult

A dish my wife sets out to prepare,

In the end I find it delicious that

Each has that impalpable finishing

Touch that tastes like nothing

So much as her winning grace.