“History Abhors a Vacuum,” “The Indignities of Serfdom,” and “Phi Beta Crapper”
History Abhors a Vacuum Goebbels, Göring, Bormann, Speer, and Himmler used to meet at Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a cute little café in Berlin’s Anhalter…
“American Poetry,” “Vinegar Pie,” “Delmonico’s on the Mississippi,” and “Earthworms Here”
American Poetry Masculine existentialism, i.e., men looking forlornly into the middle distance, not too far, not too close. Masculine, because…
Morning-After Pills…and Drinks
Bill was over for the night and had decided to sleep over. His pilot was out sick and was having trouble finding a replacement. Bill was in bed with…
“Dead End,” “The Penguin Book of Human Verve,” “Passing,” and Other Poems
Dead End I visited my old college roommate, Bryce. Bryce McHatchen. Whatta nice guy! It’s been forty years. Forty. “Count them,” he said, as a…
“1959,” “Replacing Mascots,” “Catgut Ribbons,” and Other Poems
1959 When I was four Robert Lowell declared it the skunk hour. Those waddling stinkers, of which I was one, only less hairy, surely, but just as…
Chemistry
My feet always smell. That’s the problem. My wife says I am running on fumes. She says she is being asphyxiated. She says she is choking. I say……
Worse for Wear
Everything was fine until my parents said I should leave. She’d help me pack my bags as long as I didn’t disturb him. He was too busy shouting until…
“My Favorite Faulkner,” “Honestly,” “Dirty Harry,” and Other Poems
My Favorite Faulkner We’ll meet in Mississippi. Just name the spot. What about Biloxi, Clarksdale, or what would you say to somewhere in…
“Okra Casserole Baked at 350,” “Satchmo Was White,” “Sitting Pretty,” and Other Poems
Okra Casserole Baked at 350 The bald soprano was hiding in the bushes. You better say something or I will. God is watching is not good enough. Tell…
“Public Performances” and “Low and Behold”
Public Performances The news tonight is that there are rioters rioting in the streets of Minneapolis. I go out to see for myself. I see folks on the…
