Diego Isaias Hernández Méndez, Convertiendse en Characoteles / Sorcerers Changing into Their Animal Forms (detail), 2013, oil on canvas. Arte Maya Tz’utujil Collection.
My Children Don’t Grow They Multiply
There’s nothing with which to begin but your own nothing.
Day’s agog
Repertoire of nonsense sunshine
after black bathroom stalls at the Rat
where my right hand’s stamped
& the intricate patterns of bootsoles glow
in silver graffiti sfumato.
I fall behind on a good time
I’ve stolen from my looks for poetry.
I’m sick of my costumes
delicate & posthumous
& furthermore I’m sick of this grail that doesn’t exist & is therefore
completely unknowable.
Through the dark hoping for light
& through the light waiting for night.
Ange Mlinko is the author of three books of poetry. Her book Starred Wire (Coffee House Press, 2005) was a National Poetry Series winner and a finalist for the James Laughlin Award. (updated 6/2010)