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Strapped to the Poetry Chair
Invert and Solve
Tim Murphy
They may say that we do not add up, much less multiply,
but we who are theorized without and within
may turn to the imagined and the unreal numbers
and the top, the bottom, the strange and charming quarks,
invert the fraction we represent
and solve in logic all the same.
February 1998
Comments: From the April, 1998 issue. What can I say? Lie down with a mathematician, wake up with equations...
Great Dane
Tim Murphy
Many fear his shadow as it falls across their path,
but to me it is a warm wrap which I welcome.
Many fear his baring teeth and read their sign as wrath,
but I count them up as smile and I love to do the sum.
Many fear his largeness and may read in ill intent,
but to me he is enormous joy, secure.
Many fear his leashless state and think they may be rent,
but he is, faith, a gentle soul, devoted and demure.
Many fear his grandeur and know not whom he will protect,
but of this I have no doubt - indeed, am sure.
Many fear, but those who love him, with low regard for sect,
would hold, as I, forever to this noble beast of fur.
April, 1998
Comments: From the summer 1998 issue. The boyfriend is Danish. He's 6'7" tall. Do the math, as it were...
Red China
Annie Sevelius
Dream now of dragon kites
trapped in trees
on fire.
Understand the trees are on fire,
not the kites,
take up the strings,
leave a smoldering smoke,
release them,
whipping tails,
back to China.
Be sure China is where they had flown from,
some small boy's hand,
his father's weary shoulders shrugging,
both watching helplessly,
releasing the dragons,
the humane thing to do.
Red silk flapping the air,
the flirtation of fire
works.
February 27, 1997
Comments: From the February 1998 issue - the first (and, to date, only) edition to have a large amount of outside contributions. Evidently, Annie was sent my 'zine in a care package, and sent her work to me. I was happy to print it...
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