Wednesday, April 6, 2022

PRATIK LA SPECIAL ISSUE HIGHLIGHT : MARK IRWIN'S POEM "UNIFORM"

 

MARK IRWIN

 

Uniform 

 


Coming straight down Magnolia Drive the wheelchair with the vet screaming,

“Com’on, hit me, God dammit, hit me,”

 

and he hit my stopped Honda, again and again, blood on one chrome

rail of his chair. “Hit me, please,” he said, “hit me.”

 

* * *

 

Samuel Johnson said, “A book should either allow us to escape existence

or teach us how to endure it.” Some people I think

 

are books—like the Jordanian pilot Muath al-Kasasbeh who—dressed in an orange gown,

doused with gasoline by ISIS—was placed in a steel cage and burned alive.  

 

Unrestrained, hopping, smacking the flames on his face,

unable to escape or endure, he finally collapses, every orange page of him wanting to rise.

 

* * *

                            

Funny how for a child

objects always seem permanent the way, for an adult, people are not.

 

Tara, putting on her school blouse, says to her toy-green parakeet, “Never disappear.”

Jack says to his stuffed tiger, “Grrrr, Grrrr,” then hides it in the special drawer.

 

* * *

 

There was a light rain on Magnolia Drive and the smell of apple blossoms

connected all the living world. The vet had scabs on his hands

 

and the wheelchair gleamed in sunlight as the scent of blood mixed with pollen.

Spit hung from his chin. He talked about Khe Sanh, just south

of the DMZ, the chopper trying to lift, mortar fire—and then pulled a piece of green

 

cloth from his pocket, laughed, and called me a crazy mother fucker. A robin

sang as the world stopped.  I remember this so well.

 

Mark Irwin is the author of ten collections of poetry, including Shimmer (2020), A Passion According to Green (2017), American Urn: Selected Poems (1987-2014), and Bright Hunger (2004). Recognition for his work includes The Nation/Discovery Award, two Colorado Book Awards, four Pushcart Prizes, the James Wright Poetry Award, the Philip Levine Prize for Poetry, and fellowships from the Fulbright, Lilly, and NEA. 

 

 

Now available on Amazon USA, UK, Canada and India

 

USA: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B096PFWHNR?ref=myi_title_dp

UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B096PFWHNR?ref=myi_title_dp

CANADA : https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B096PFWHNR?ref=myi_title_dp

INDIA: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B096PDWJHT?ref=myi_title_dp