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River of Forgetfulness
- Utah State University Press
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[29] riVer OF FOrGetFULneSS A bath i draw. Water, like open flora, that buoys me — legs, belly, arms brushing a porcelain river’s edge — my hair, a grassy sedge. A film we rent — popcorn as usual. Out of the blue, but of course, it is part of the script, a girl in a minor role, eight or nine exits with a flourish: Later alligator — your line. in bed, the room dark, your father’s moist face against mine. Our dutiful attendance at gatherings — a cook out, with games for the adults. A reunion in a gymnasium. After mass, a baby baptism. Another tonic and gin. the shadows of the dead had to drink from it to forget their previous lives. i wish this for you from time to time: that seconds into his twisted vaudeville act something flickered — the prow of a boat perhaps, and in precisely the moment his props were unpacked — wire, packing tape, ballast [30] to steady your limbs as you sank — you felt the boatman’s ladle at your lips and drank. ...