“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’ | belly goats did not presume moves
fast forward on young grass.
For neighbour Ramoo J. looking work / “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; Letts
diary secrets – public kissing limited 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 ‘n’ out of hot
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 steps, paling chat.
What happening there, Hat?
calls, ciel à côte .
– 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)
