This book can't be sung
(Reading Walden)–solitude self-definition : pure
nationalism! beans in a row & a year
to hoe them heroic vatic stance struck mock
epic all ironic to trick the mind into seeing
America a masculine parable a second-growth
forest to walk there an easy wilderness vernacular
apples your grammar so declarative it is
a government –prophetic voice come
closer bring your certitude so we can pinch
it to pith force it to the far wrong side
of moribund bachelorhood we are stunned blood
we are inherited citizen dualism we must begin
to ring must in your ears rebuttal stuffed
with spirit your whole ruddy skin stung with it
— Brian Teare
About the Author
Brian Teare is the author of The Room Where I Was Born and the forthcoming Pleasure. He lives and teaches in San Francisco.
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