Malak Mattar, Untitled (detail), 2024, charcoal on paper
Otology
A program on the loss of hearing
showed some twenty inner ears
removed and gridded nicelyon a sheet so connections
between listening and the oceanmight be established
along with water off the house walls
flies from the ointments
the beeping machines that write
the heart’s monotonous letters
history with its granite and forgivenesswhile amid the orchard alcohols
the hornets spoke like terrorists
from the downed apples
Poetry
Vanished Qilou Building, Bali by Yang Biwei
Translated from the Chinese by Liang Yujing
Poetry
Allan Peterson is a poet and visual artist. He has published two books of poetry and multiple chapbooks. His poetry has been published in the Boston Review, New South, AGNI, and other journals. (updated 6/2010)