Room 281
A divination of entropy, in
which people pass but
collide with one another
in corridors that then be-
come impassable. When he
found her, she was reading
an Icelandic detective story,
somewhat convoluted as well
as full of multi-syllable patro-
nymic or matronymic names.
The building that housed the
radio telescope was caught by
sunlight, then let down gently.
Its message bank was empty.
Later he walked home alone.
From the Pound Cantos: CENTO XXV
Propped between chairs &
table, torches melt in the glare.
Flame leaps from the hand,
the rain is listless, the leaves are
full of voices. Our bodies also
heavy with weeping. Time
spent knocking at empty rooms,
stubborn against the fact.
An ex-convict out of Italy,
water running off from his twis-
ted arms, swung for a moment
& knocked me into the black
snout of a porpoise gripping the
blue-gray glass of the wave.
A line from Jimi Hendrix
Despite it being a culturally
inclusive environment, delive-
ring messages intended for
airborne bacteria presents a
unique challenge. Because of
constant barriers — such as a
vacuum cleaner able to rescue
a dog from a mini iceberg — there
is only ever one way in. Test the
water, & in time find that the most
efficient method is to hide them in
a radio program full of mirrors.
languor longer
He thought indo-
lence might be a
group of languages
along the lines of
Indo-European,
but found he didn't
have sufficient
drive to look it up.
3 thoughts on “Poetry from Mark Young”
Great poems, Mark! I especially love the image of “a vacuum cleaner able to rescue a dog from a mini iceberg” in “A line from Jimi Hendrix”.
Years ago fatefully purchased a copy of Pound’s Cantos and had my eyes as if opened to a whole other world. The Cento XXV here so wonderfully crafted revives that wonder initially felt. I am as if re-animated and this so every time I encounter the poetry of Mark Young. Many thanks for this!
Great work!
Enjoyed every moment, as I had the wind at my back the entire time.
Thanks
Great poems, Mark! I especially love the image of “a vacuum cleaner able to rescue a dog from a mini iceberg” in “A line from Jimi Hendrix”.
Years ago fatefully purchased a copy of Pound’s Cantos and had my eyes as if opened to a whole other world. The Cento XXV here so wonderfully crafted revives that wonder initially felt. I am as if re-animated and this so every time I encounter the poetry of Mark Young. Many thanks for this!
Great work!
Enjoyed every moment, as I had the wind at my back the entire time.
Thanks