27 August 2006 | Vol. 6, No. 2
Vinegar
He said "assassinated" and then, "trust."
I can only hope for a better guide.
To learn as little as I possibly can—
I've talked to you amateurishly
in an effort to appear attractive.
You have an addictive laugh,
legs I long to wrap
in a deeper acquaintanceship.
The imaginary café where I met him
burned down, taking our last glances.
Is he our grandfather,
writing lesbian love poems?
"Her little bush, loaves of bread," etc.
He is comfortable enough
to offer his guests a bath.
But I'd rather go home
and write pantoums.
When a man's mistress and wife
are the same person
we can agree to be voice teachers,
harmless to everyone but ourselves.
About the author:
Jen Currin lives in Vancouver, B.C., with her wife, the talented Christine Leclerc. Jen has published one book, The Sleep of Four Cities (Anvil Press, 2005), and has one forthcoming: Hagiography (Winnow Press). She teaches creative writing at the Vancouver Film School and Langara College.
For further reading:
See the complete list of work by Jen Currin at 42opus. Browse the contents of 42opus Vol. 6, No. 2, where "Vinegar" ran on August 27, 2006. List other work with these same labels: poetry.
