still in the night he does not remember why —sounds of her sighs
her small ears pressing into the tight space of the day
or the tenderness between him and her held in the air
the repeated denial of the time set chained to hold their plans
were revolting against trysts spent in another’s gaze
2. Sebastian
the tenacious sense in arrangement lets slip imitation
how I could possess your breath and bear it
delicately freeing my stances I strained
in celebration at the sanctification that you’d granted to Saint Sebastian in Irene’s blessing
will healing hands make poetry or trap the shaking
of my languid silver pens taut but not ready
3. Carlos
the sweet words brought for the lovers
that beats hard each hesitance
leaps without fear regarding
that their time is now here
the shape that your sighs take
suggesting as if limits don’t exist
This is part of collection for a senior portfolio project at CU Denver Project is intended to represent the stylistic distinctions of great American poets through the imitation of their poetics and/or their subject matter
In this three section poem, "Enacting Imitation," I work to closely mirror William Carlos Williams poem "3 Stances." Williams uses enjambment to subtly infuse multiple meanings into his sparse lines. Williams poetry also enacts a metaphysical level that allows the reader to see the poet's space of thinking and anxieties in writing which we see in "Danse Russe," wherein Williams finds freedom in writing for himself. I also use his ideas of the variable foot to employ certain rhythmic tones and speeds into this imitation.