Vox Populi
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Wayne Karlin: Butch in Autumn
When she was a pup in autumn
I watched her dive in mad exuberance
into the leaf-filled road side ditch
and submarine down its length
spraying a delirious scarlet wake
and stop at its far end,
at the edge of wonder,
and look back at me
as if exasperated at my bipedal slowness,
as if to say, where are you?
.
Those legs gave out yesterday
nearly the last item on whatever final checklist
her body is going through now
and she stares at me,
chin on my knees,
her eyes suddenly older than mine,
heavy with a certain wisdom.
Run ahead again,
old friend,
I’ll catch up with you later.
Copyright 2022 Wayne Karlin
Wayne Karlin is the author of eight novels and three non-fiction books. His awards include The Paterson Prize in Fiction, The Vietnam Veterans of America Excellence in the Arts Award, and the Juniper Prize in Fiction. His short fiction collection, Memorial Days, will be published by Texas Tech University Press in Spring, 2023.
Yue Xing Yidhna Wang / Getty Images
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Sigh.❤️
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Thanks, Lisa.
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This poem is a perfect reminder of what poetry does–a beautiful arrangement of words that seem simply breathed, but which arrive at a singular inevitable expression that strikes deep, with love. No other reason for the art is so important.
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Well-said, Richard!
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Thank you so much, Dick. Sending love.
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Thank you for your gracious words, Sean. My best to John
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Damn. I teared up. It’s been hard for poems to reach me lately so I am grateful
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Thank you so much, Barbara
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Many thanks for this gorgeous poem. Loss, company, and joy in autumn.
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Thanks, John!
M. Michael Simms http://www.michaelsimms.info
Author of Bicycles of the Gods https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ZYTM9J5/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1 Author of Nightjar https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1933974435/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2 Author of American Ash https://www.amazon.com/American-Ash-Poems-Michael-Simms/dp/1933974397/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2PC9VWO127ZSF&dchild=1&keywords=american+ash+by+michael+simms&qid=1593969710&s=books&sprefix=American+ash,aps,133&sr=1-1 Editor of Vox Populi https://voxpopulisphere.com/
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Thank you, John
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A Man acquainted with loss—-well who isn’t? But who writes as beautifully about it (which is also to say experiences it in such a way as Wayne Karlin?) He is becoming for me a favorite writer in these posts in his ineluctable wakefulness. I am grateful to have learned of him solely through this source. That my friend, J. Balaban knows and loves him is icing on the cake!
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Thank you for your gracious comments, Sean. Say hello to John for me.
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