In Praise of Falling

Theories

Theories The queen working the espresso maker tells me Karen Carpenter was actually Richard in drag—what they found crumpled in the corner of the closet was not her skeletal body but his threadbare blouses, wool skirts fallen from hangers, a persona disintegrating. I tell him Marilyn lives on Graceland’s second floor—I stood at the red velvet ropes myself. I heard her humming. I pull up a stool. He polishes chrome to gleaming.We trade fictions: Love outlasts death.The universe never gives you more than you can take. Those who have gone live on in me. I drain my glass. He slings a damp rag over his shoulder, pours a refill on the house.When god closes a door he opens a window on the twenty-sixth floor.  Dumesnil PGS:Layout 1 4/28/09 12:32 PM Page 11 ...