Stage

This black whale we ride upon,

massive stage for symphony,

holding the mess of

orchestra,

spit, tears, sweat,

bit of mud,

broken bow hairs curled

like creamy snakes

Becomes wood again when

I gaze down

during the cadenzas,

at a sea of cello endpin holes,

little necessary stabbings

for a killer bassline

---

Katrin Talbot

Australian-born Katrin Talbot’s collection The Waiting Room for the Imperfect Alibis was just released from Kelsay Books and The Devil Orders A Latte and Falling Asleep at the Circus are forthcoming from Fernwood Press and Turning Point Books respectively. She has seven chapbooks, two Pushcart Prize nominations and quite a few chickens.  www.katrintalbot.com