ALPHABET OF LOVE

The Reading

50 The Alphabet of Love THE READING You wonder what they know, Curled up, row by row, Fine tuning you in and out— Each fork pitched back Under the light of darkness. You speak for fifty minutes And measure your height By the polite applause Which follows the reading. The customary break ensues Where you wolf down A cookie or two And a cup of coffee Before the questions begin. A man in a red beret Insists that your style reflects A certain experimental school— One that you’re quite unfamiliar with; You say you’re unaware of this connection, But he refuses to buy it, Claiming he’s midway through an article Based on your books— And he can prove it, If given just five minutes. Nevertheless, the punctual moderator Graciously moves the program forward. A provocatively dressed woman Rises quickly from her seat To ask if sex is the natural link Between the body of your work; You stare at the short length of her skirt And agree that it might be the case. Bart Edelman 51 An elderly gentleman requests you read A poem you wrote about a city He was born in eighty years ago; You gladly oblige, Taking particular care to smile When you mention the city’s name. For almost an hour You field questions which range From form to figuration to fidelity. By evening’s end Only half the audience remains, Yet they purchase every available book, Assuring you’ll sleep tight tonight In room 606 of the Holiday Inn. ...