Toothsome

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Danse Russe by William Carlos Williams

If I when my wife is sleeping

and the baby and Kathleen

are sleeping

and the sun is a flame-white disc

in silken mists

above shining trees,—

if I in my north room

dance naked, grotesquely

before my mirror

waving my shirt round my head

and singing softly to myself:

“I am lonely, lonely.

I was born to be lonely,

I am best so!”

If I admire my arms, my face,

my shoulders, flanks, buttocks

against the yellow drawn shades,—

Who shall say I am not

the happy genius of my household?

after William Carlos Williams My husband and daughter sleep blind to the bleach of street lamps and every wellspring headlight sluicing the dark Pre-dawn but this cavity chants of you — Don’t smile Don’t smile Better to tongue the deep, empty groove I rise, pirouette across cold parquet The kitten shadows me so we waltz until it is time to commit Keys under fingers twitch, twitch and my page glows as the black prowls into this gentled grey the taste of a cached penny behind compressed lips Hold your breath make my wish

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Richard Lamoureux

Date: 4/22/2020 8:52:00 AM

Most enjoyable to read again. Although we never really connected, I still appreciate your talent. I believe the soup was far better place with you as apart of it. It is sad that people like you and others have chosen to leave.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 1/8/2018 2:00:00 PM

Some of the pieces that appear fully formed cause one to wonder at the source we are tapped into. I very much enjoyed the feel of this piece. It has a certain solidity.

Thvia Shetley

Date: 9/20/2017 3:15:00 PM

That awful metallic taste! I never had a cavity in my life until after my 5th and final baby was born. That'll do it! Haven't had one since either but oh I remember that taste. I like this poem a lot. Off subjects appeal to me.