Inconstant time
Inconstant time ticks now forward, now back,
a snag, a snarl, a sneer in the crosshairs
of the moment: this instant. Call me hack
or fool, but I travel these broken stairs
incessantly. What I mean by all this
is that my memories of the good times
call up the bad, as if every kiss
marries some twisting pain, contrary rhymes.
But it works the other way as often —
let me stumble on disaster or grief
and joy or laughter rises, a coffin
with a jack-in-the-box inside. Belief,
amnesia; weakness, strength; barren, fecund;
I stretch out both my hands to the second.
–Jamie LaRue
People’s Poetry wants you to share your thoughts on what’s happening
in Springfield today — in poetic form. Poems on any subject will be considered,
but ones that deal with issues of local interest are encouraged. Send yours
to Books and Poetry Editor Corrine Frisch c/o Illinois Times, P.O. Box
5256, Springfield, IL 62705, or to caf1025@aol.com with “People’s Poetry” in the subject line. (Please limit your submissions to
poems of 14 lines or less.)
This article appears in Jan 22-28, 2004.
