"She used to point to it, and say, ‘This thing
happening again, but you get use to it after
the first three four times. Is a damn nuisance
though’.” – VSN, Miguel Street (1971)
While her parents gathered first thoughts
what ‘hegemony’ means, Evelin A. would check
the public library . take out / Who am I here? How
do I prosper? / the Jane Austen accounts.
*Most actors failed her ‘dinner
conversation’ | moves fast forward on young grass
belly goat did not presume.
For neighbour Ramoo J. looking work / with “No
money, No love” top literacy / liquor rafting made him
half . the man.
Our village romancier could show you virtue
drawings from the days : uniform school girls
cycle home as corks in long pants pop; this Letts
diary conviction – limit public kissing to the zoo.
+
Until ‘Country ‘n’ West’ radio waves hit estate
fellas hadn't a clue | match handlers picked cane
field flower, water lily vice.
*We couldn’t wait
for cymbals ‘n’ blessings to end . get up hot out
satin bridal covers. La Parfaite Harmonie.
+
Finger letting Mozart . our Austen guide
girl practiced scales, glissando island exits.
*Over There her first . double deck, knight
shivers / NO, Oh yes yes yes / prompted blue Par
Avions back for church step, paling chat.
What happening there, Hat?
calls, ciel à côte | palate rinsing too, you could
argue . swab, pierce all souls.
– W.W.
WILDROSE SPROUTS ACORN
This vine, plaiting itself into the trunk
of an oak in the hope of adding
its thorn strength to the tree’s empire
(or tree’s strength to its own empire)
so surrenders its roses
its stem’s fibre, its seed’s pattern of fire.
(from “Fabula Rasa” by Brian Chan, 1994)
FARJOURNEY CARIBBEAN 