Aftermath
The math after.
A fallout of numbers,
numerical confetti
where the piñata
once dangled.
The carcass of
a machine, a body,
either too old or
newfangled to
disappear in
usefulness. Thing
that lingers,
that loiters.
The black bags
of trash that
lollygag in alleys
and in bins,
dark and shiny
skins holding in
what we abandon.
All is disposable,
except for that which
persists. The echo
unhinged from
the sound that
threw it. The part
of the party when
it has ended
and the guests
have returned home,
when they slouch on
their couches in
crumpled suits and
gowns before sleeping.
So good, Hannah, with a number of stand-out lines, including "The carcass... usefulness.", "skins holding in/ what we abandon.", and "All is disposable,/ except for that which / persists." The poem calls to mind a recent photograph I saw of the huge collection of detritus in the ocean from the Japan earthquake, now moving toward land.
ReplyDeleteThe image of "black bags/of trash that / lollygag" and the final scene that is so familiar are vivid.
Great start to the week.
Wow, I love this and the lollygagging. The images work together so well as their own kind of confetti.
ReplyDeleteThe images in this poem go beautifully with the image, which reminded me of the tsunami in Japan.
ReplyDeleteOne of your very best, Hannah. I love that opening couplet. And then all the others too. Haunting and yet I smiled through it too.
ReplyDeleteProsody, yes. It was there.
ReplyDelete