Lately I’ve been fascinated by this photo of Arthur Rimbaud in Abyssinia (now Ethiopia) taken when he was 29 years old in 1883. When I zoomed in on the photo I saw this grown man, Rimbaud, a worried, weary guy. Oh, the last line in my poem is about me.
***
Disastrous Consequences
If it’s not too late,
I would like to make big changes
in nearly everyone by Wednesday.
I am heading to the fire tower.
Do you understand what I’m saying?
Human beings are awkward
and they transmit a hard edge
that makes it difficult to get things done around them.
Slush, ice, rain, shit.
A mother points at her son’s boots
and says, “Those are not
completely rainproof boots. “
And the son takes note of it
and he remembers.
Some people find relief when they listen
to music that has a certain tone that appeals
to their own tone. It’s going to be alright
because we are flesh at this juncture.
Your agency knows no release. Joy Division
did a wonderful cover of “Sister Ray”
that peters out at the end.
There, there.
I’m husky and I have a funky disposition.
***
Todd Colby has published five books of poetry: Ripsnort, Cush, Riot in the Charm Factory: New and Selected Writings, and Tremble & Shine, all published by Soft Skull Press. Flushing Meadows was published by Scary Topiary Press in 2013. Colby’s latest book, Splash State, was published by The Song Cave in 2014.
THE HOME SCHOOL 