David H.W. Grubb
Sometimes the words came off in our hands
It isn’t working. The Latin won’t grow
and the algebra refuses to fire and the rain keeps
getting into my head or sex or sweat.
Other people’s words. Knowledge from the outside
world. Nothing to make things happen or respect.
The voices of teachers like tireless dictators
because they have nothing to offer us but shells.
It was like this for years. It was like running
into the rain. It was like trying so hard
to get something said it burnt in your
throat. It was like two deaths at once.
At the old people’s home they sat with their
toys and their games and paper hats ready
for the next festival. We read to them
from a list of requests. Sometimes the words
came off in our hands.
and the algebra refuses to fire and the rain keeps
getting into my head or sex or sweat.
Other people’s words. Knowledge from the outside
world. Nothing to make things happen or respect.
The voices of teachers like tireless dictators
because they have nothing to offer us but shells.
It was like this for years. It was like running
into the rain. It was like trying so hard
to get something said it burnt in your
throat. It was like two deaths at once.
At the old people’s home they sat with their
toys and their games and paper hats ready
for the next festival. We read to them
from a list of requests. Sometimes the words
came off in our hands.
Page(s) 23
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