The Literary Review
“the idea of”
the idea of
or an outline
the words extra
or no longer
a description of
the dimensions those
of a rhino or giraffe
or a man who
has been inflated
the story starting
in this way
DIRECTION
the usual
playing pieces
men women
dogs cats
the sun
or moon
the ocean
or mountain
the sky
that approaches
before they
can leave
“when”
when a caterpillar dies
it becomes an angel
with a name like “monarch”
or “cabbage white”
or “swallowtail”
(parentheses)
The gun? Was it a Luger?
The woman? Was she a blonde?
The door? Was it open?
The car? Was it a Buick?
The poem? Was it broken?
The story? Was it over?
The man? Was he too tall?