Poems by Maureen Clark
Listen to Me
for Jon
listen to me—-the way you listen to thunder
how you put———-the microphone outside
capture———each fading grumble
each splitting open————of sky
the way you listen—-to rain
moving over the land———your microphone
catching——-the drops’ difference
on red rock—asphalt and leaves—-soft thud
in flowerbeds———curtains of rain
that drench the houses——-sideways—uphill
listen to me—————-the way you listen
on Antelope Island————to brine flies and midges
to the footfalls———of jackrabbits
the way———the wind
moves the sage——-and the sunflowers
in two———-different registers
listen to me————the way you do when
you replay—–these recordings
in the sound studio—that look of ecstasy
on your face
Sequins
elephants who lived———-their whole lives in captivity
walk off the job—————-leave the circus
zoos———–roadside attractions
the parades————-walking single file——down streets
with names————-they couldn’t pronounce
city after city——————-they’ve had it with
wearing silly saddle blankets———of velvet
performing tricks——no more finicky balls
half-naked riders—–bright spotlights——flashing
off the sequined headdresses——-blinding them
no more matinees—-two shows a night
just sanctuary———to remember childhood
the cool touch ———of a friend’s trunk
water straight from———–a stream
some are so old—————-they don’t remember
what soft grass feels like————-under their feet
or the touch————of their grandmother’s bones
some nights—they dream of far off jungles
sometimes—–they still hear—-distant calliopes
and reach———-for an absent tail
Maureen Clark’s first book “This Insatiable August” was published in 2024 by Signature Books. Maureen is retired from the University of Utah where she taught writing for 20 years. She was the director of the University Writing Center from 2010-2014 and the president of Writers @ Work 1999-2001. Her poems have appeared in Colorado Review, Alaska Review, The Southeast Review, and Gettysburg Review.
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