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Dear Departed Reverend Grandfathers,
- Southern Illinois University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
DearDepartedReverendGrandfathers, there’snowaytoexplainmywallowing infieldsofburdock,goldenrod,yarrow, thelureofrocksthathideslime-pathedslugs, pillbugs,dewyleavesthatprismsunlight intomutedstained-glassSundaysIstillcarry, closeasapocket,familiarasatongue, mychildeyesandearsinfusedwithspectacle, thinvoicessingingashandspantomimed, Thislittlelightofmine,I’mgonnaletitshine, awishtohold,toshapetheworld aswepassedthatbrasscollectionplate upanddownthepewsofthefewwhoknew beyondashadowofadoubtwhatwaswhat, palmsprofferingwineandwafer,mouthslittleO’s closingonmetaphor—sightandsoundbeyondsense— thesheerpressingopulenceofcattail,cane, chicory,thebloodloveofmychildren, thedeepsweetoblivionofskinonskin, invisibleasVenusindaytime. Grandfathers,whereareyouinthisrestless flurryoftaut-ribbedleavesturninginwind, quackgrass,timothy,bulrushrisingin roadsideandfield?Intheirrepressiblegreen, somewherebeyondmyownembroideries, whatthinstrandinchlorophyllandredcell, inamoebaandspermwhale,inthecomplex turningsofunseenmeiosis,gametestraining forreplication,threadsthroughall likethedrawstringofanenormousbag? ...