from War Bonds

9.

verso

to the politic
body the body as means
to end in all things
a kind of sufficiency
of appearance demanding
resolution show of force
form as an evident
means but this does not
mean what little it purports
only silence does
and what comes after
the payload is delivered
over and over
the same payload delivered
only silence different

only silence different
the same payload delivered
over and over
the payload is delivered
and what comes after
only silence does
mean what little it purports
means but this does not
form as an evident
resolution show of force
of appearance demanding
a kind of sufficiency
to end in all things
body the body as means
to the politic



37. “to marry”


don’t ask or address             in certain states
in certain municipalities      the land lays prone
to law               we remain either legal or not
as to what binds us      this same nature
from which we stand        aside
entitled either legal      or not
but I must watch         where I put my hands
if I am to be loved       or even sanctioned
but we are                 among those allowed
for when I enter            a third comes between
this one                         gives permission
a potential                demographic
a vote                       for war
another likely                civilian casualty
of course                         this is not my child
-officer-                    when sounds reach the city
I take only                     what I can carry
a bundle of wheat                  handfuls of ash
and ember                             Holy
what the legislation        names me
the temple for which        I am ruined
gravestone in the rotunda       you bury me beneath
all epitaphs in             imperatives
admit I’m lost            laden in this abortion
most steadfast             prophet




Jim Maughn lives in Santa Cruz, California. His poetry has been published in Can We Have Our Ball Back, Moria, Pettycoat Relaxer, and the Homestead Review. He teaches whatever he can get away with at Cabrillo College in Aptos, CA.


NEXT

PUT OUT LIGHTS