Prophecy (Excerpt)
O Lord of indirection and ellipses,
ignore our prayers. Deliver us from distraction.
Slow our heartbeat to a cricket’s call.
In the green torpor of the afternoon,
bless us with ennui and quietude.
And grant us only what we fear,
Pity the beautiful (Excerpt)
Pity the beautiful, the dolls, and the dishes,
the babes with big daddies granting their wishes.
Pity the pretty boys, the hunks, and Apollos,
the golden lads whom success always follows.
The hotties, the knock-outs, the tens out of ten,
the drop-dead gorgeous, the great leading men.
The Gift (excerpt)
The present that you gave me months ago
Is still unopened by our bed,
Sealed in its rich blue paper and bright bow.
I’ve even left the card unread
And kept the ribbon knotted tight.
The Haunted (excerpt)
Her back toward me, she started to undress.
Now I was panicked and embarrassed both.
I spoke much louder. She made no response.
Now wearing an old silk chemise,
she turned toward me, still strangely indistinct,
the fabric undulating, as if alive.
- Dana Gioia
