from "The Life of Poetry"

LEAVING FOR THE DENTIST

JUST BEFORE 11 AM

            ...to despise his song.

               

As I come back in the house,

Karen asks,

What have you forgotten now?

I'm looking for some poems

I have the notebook,

a shield

but not armor--not

for the dentist--

She has soft hands

but my country--I--

Muriel Rukeyser

randomly what must

be listened for--

quotes Emerson,

Poets should rejoice

if he has taught us...

Jim Bodeen

8 February 2019