For Tom W.—Eyes Only
by Linda Umans
I never identified with the straight back L
or the manuscript loops too girly maybe
(I’m way more loopy now)
the erectile i was a better fit
definite and pointing away
hanging on the dromedary n
riding slow rhythmic
the d dropped stomach about to birth
(the late births knock me out)
enclosed sometimes pampered in the space of the a
a place for a round girl to curl
the open-topped U a way up and out but challenging
the m a human purr
another a when I need it again
the n this time connecting to the final s
my sign in China
an all-time hissing favorite.
I’d like my ashes
carried to the ocean
in Townes’ flying shoes (you know)
(I’ve imagined it already
been there already
so if it’s inconvenient…)
my true remains are yours.
by Linda Umans
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Linda Umans has had work published on- and off-line, recently in Beauty/Truth: Journal of Ekphrastic Poetry, Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, Big Apple Short Radio Drama Festival and upcoming in Terrain.org: A Journal of the Built & Natural Environments. She is a traveler but a native of New York City where she lives and works.
a very compelling poem – pulled me right along – congratulations Linda!
Neat. I do feel like there are some references in here I’m not getting, either because I’m too out of the loop (so to speak) or they’re too private, but I got a kick nonetheless out of phrases like “the m a human purr” and the “d” as a dropped stomach. And “my true remains are yours” is a killer closing line.
Very nicely read, too.