boatpaper.
boatpaper.
by shannon baker
every
“why i am not someone elseâ€
lifts restlessly unwanted ribs.
the rest are forced to listen.
this
lip of matter
troubles
an expected knot
of spine. fog reflection, greenish
was your father’s eye such is
certain.
bright, the budding fishfarm
neon bathtub in rebirth.
the physical world humiliates.
real people ignore themselves.
vacuum bags, aluminum,
rope hang
almost warbles.
bombs, but very
soft bombs.
also some hundred eggs of milk.
sentient outmotion,
overturned
upside&downlooking.
that is to say,
we sink.
Use of colors in poetry and body parts personified usually turn me off but i really dig the way it was done in this poem. There is also a beauty of sound here that puts one into that ‘blow up the outside’ state of mind where we may see/feel more clearly life in its vexing obstacle course. Life and Human Nature…two different things or one and the same inseperable? ‘Boatpaper’ is good metaphor for our situation…chillingly accurate! “fog reflection, greenish was your father’s eye such is certain.”…that was my favorite line minced. And “the physical world humiliates. real people ignore themselves.”…a poet’s power of observation never fail to startle us into reflection. I look forward to the upcoming chap-book where I can enjoy this one again and hopefully at least a Baker’s Dozen!