Published on Academy of American Poets (https://poets.org)


From “LOCK DOWN IMPROMPTKU”

Boyfriend snoring 
On the yoga mat

Who are you smooching
In the underworld?

*

He says you eat batshit
I say I love plums   plums    plums

*

No, I am not
Lonely
Denial is a river in Egypt

*

The bell rings
    Buddha
Wagging his tail

*

Hair flowing past my ass
White roots
Tincture of Autumn

*

Revolutions are bloody
Young militants
Sipping Frappuccino

*

Stone by stone
Democracy crumbling into
A race war

*

I am not exceptional
I am green

*

Two red ants
Licking up my calf
Not now, little sisters

*

Don’t say we are nothing
Year after year
The pear tree blossoms

Credit


From “Lock Down Impromptku” by Marilyn Chin. Copyright © 2021 by Marilyn Chin. Used with the permission of the poet.

Author


Marilyn Chin

Marilyn Chin was born in Hong Kong and raised in Portland, Oregon. The author of five poetry collections, she currently serves as a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets.

Date Published: 2021-10-22

Source URL: https://poets.org/poem/lock-down-impromptku