Scare Quotes

BOOK ONE, POEM THREE
Alice Notley

"A woman entered" "a car I rode," "had a misshapen" "slowing foot; &" "she wore" "thick-lensed glasses" ("her eyes were small," "over-focused") "She carried a cup, announced" "'I need" "enough money--" "the amount is eighteen dollars--" "to take my daughter above the ground" "for just one night" "I promised her a night" "above the ground'"

"'Money will not" "be enough'" "a woman said to her," "'Not just money," "he wants your things," "your small things," "your emblems," "all your trappings" "You must give up" "to the tyrant" "all your flowers" "all your carnations" "Or cut your hair" "Give him your hair" "You must give him your jokes" "your best jokes," "he takes whatever--"

"Makes fun of it," "but uses it" "Give him only" "silk scarf" "your tiny" "turquoise pendant" "Your old fashioned watch" "your copper barrette" "& your nail polish" "Give him your lotion, your gardenia" "perfume" "Give him your coat too" "But keep your sweater" "Let him take" "what he wants" "from your wallet" "red leatherette coin purse" "& then

he'll let you" "go upstairs" "& walk around in" "our times" "He will smile" "his boyish smile" "& let you go up there awhile'"

from Alice Notley's the descent of ALEtTE

 recommended by JeFF Stumpo

ON LEAVING OR BEING L​EFT
Adam Stone

i
pester the soup until 
the clock stops All of my
hunger gazes Through bread
colored glasses I don't use
recipes to start Conversations with
strangers i pinch 
humor until it is enough 
Sodium Eye the caramel of my
tongue It is never enough Don't
panic the smile The oven is too
want The Weather is a jerk you say
how it equatored my whole
vacation And today
finally back to the job i hate
The Weather poles like there is no sun
                                like the atmosphere without departing words
                                                                  quit for space I will not
appalachia to work today Someone
fetch me My car is a color i can
word but not paint Too many
stars between
the last time we touched I have nothing to
drive him with or away Should i
glove up his middlest
finger with a glare Poofball
smile his You
are so dairy this morning He is
so morning this ice cap The door is
an occupation i would not see
​him out of