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  • Anti-terrorism
  • Bob Hicok (bio)

Loulwa emailed from Beirutabout my poems. About liking my poems.From the American University in Beirut.Loulwa emailed from Beirutthe day before a bomb went offin Beirut, twenty-three dead. Beirut’swhere a bomb went offbut more personally where Loulwa,whose words are in my inbox, sent wordsto my inbox. Loulwa who reads poetry.Loulwa who has a lovely name. Loulwawho I’ll ask in this poemif Loulwa and everyone Loulwa lovesare okay. To be of service to the world,I am right now not a bomb, I’m an imaginerof Loulwa with all her arms and legsand breathing intact. I can do this,for though I’ve not met Loulwa,I’ve met lots of arms and legs and breathing,lots of standing around and lots of running,lots of watching leaves falllike so many notes the wind’s in a hurryto read. Loulwa means “pearl.” Bobmeans Robert means “bright shining glory.”Six thousand miles and at least one bomb,one gender, one color between us,yet both our names ask us to glow. [End Page 80]

Bob Hicok

Bob Hicok’s latest book, Elegy Owed (Copper Canyon, 2013), was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award.

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