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On The Porch
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Everything arrives
like this melt-down
sun, into the dog
terror of nothingness.
Thursday came.
Then like a leaf
it died under a phosphorus
drug.
I sat on a stool
handled by the deep midnight
air.
I let the silence
lull between
my teeth.
I wanted to forget
where I was
and why each day
passed so unnoticed
into the next.
Why dust gathered
under the husk
of heart and dreams.
Why so many battles,
so many shipwrecks
& the stars. The stars,
they kissed my lips
with their light. They told me
there was no bottom,
no loneliness. They burrowed
under my eyes, then left me
weeping.
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Copyright © 1995 by Allison Grayhurst
amazon.com/author/allisongrayhurst
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First published in “The New Quarterly” 1993
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You can listen to the poem by clicking below:
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“Somewhere Falling has a richness of imagery and an intensity of emotion rare in contemporary poetry. Drawn in sharp outlines of light and darkness, and rich shades of colour, with a deep sense of loss and longing and the possibility of salvation, this is an unusual book by a gifted young poet. Grayhurst’s voice is one to which we should continue to pay attention.” — Maggie Helwig, author of Apocalypse Jazz and Eating Glass.
“Responsibility and passion don’t often go together, especially in the work of a young poet. Allison Grayhurst combines them in audacious ways. Somewhere Falling is a grave, yet sensuous book.” – Mark Abley, author of Glasburyon and Blue Sand, Blue Moon.
“Biting into the clouds and bones of desire and devotion, love and grief, Allison Grayhurst basks the reader, with breathtaking eloquence, in an elixir of words. Like lace, the elegance is revealed by what isn’t said. This is stunning poetry.” – Angela Hryniuk, author of no visual scars.
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