Sept 1 Reading: Staff favorite pieces - Vlad's Pick

This a sample of one of many brilliant poems that can be found in Doug Cox's The Last Decent Jukebox in America.

Air 

          -for George Harrison, (1943-2001)

What can we do but break
These knots of bread together
& thank gods for their crust,
This pale dish of yellow butter?

 

Hold our cups below cold pitchers
& pour whatever liquor we can
Manage--like air it tastes
Of iron, shared memory, blood.

 

But who can stand to talk of mothers
& fathers--our mothers, our
Fathers? Love, a final chord
Lowers over background speakers.

Dull needles crackle at thin air. Tonight,
At least, acknowledge our silence. 

If you want a chance to hear more of Doug's work, please make sure to be at our September 1st reading at Beaverdale Books, 7pm!