Jorge
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.
