Cling

https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Tobi-Kassim-Cling_final.wav

 

Just gravity pulling what free
bodies it touches down, and at times
their refusal. Despite this shaking over
the mouth of the trash, a plate
holding its residue. Adherence the new
law of frustration guiding
this moment
        toward intervention: the scraping
loose of some sediment, salt
and sugar texturing my bone
memory of pleasure with you–

having shuddered, having thrown my hollow
to loosen your grip, I assign the edge

the incision to suss out
your …

More In: Chronicles

After the Idea of the Flood Recedes | Zocalo Public Square • Arizona State University • Smithsonian

After the Idea of the Flood Recedes

 

with borrowings from Rimbaud, “Après le Déluge”

in a turbulent dream,
I wake troubled, confused,
a tabby nosing round the sheets…

the market stalls are dressed in meat,
bavetted, boned, …

Eros / ion

 

Click to view the whole work