Michael Pollick Poems
Believer's Guide to Drifting
On the one hand, we have this couple -
So young, so connected,
So grounded.
The balloon they released together
Into the Memphis air
Held two cards in tow,
As it found its way
Between... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating:  Urim and Thummin
Your tattooed stigmata is showing, my dear-
that spot of willful blood lies dormant;
while greedy hosts of Angels draw illicit lots,
and seek redemption in performance.
I may cast off now... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating: Fire Exit
Do not whisper near them, sweet children,
for war is loud.
Men who served with General Anzio
find time for the occasional Bingo,
and find that corn on the cob
can be quite the challenge.... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating: Flesh and Principalities
Pilate is doomed to clean his rifle forever-
The walls will not forget these nights.
If you decide to brave
the waters
of sanctioned terror,
be sure to wear your Christ;
Should you... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating: Makebelieve Ballroom
and when all that remains of
our dime store dances are scuffs
on aching linoleum,
I shall consider you carefully
and know that we were gods once.
this was how the Rockefellers
played it, all... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating: Cleft For Me
Four small whispers can now leave rehearsal,
the last cigarette has been ground to ashes.
It was once important for us to kill some Negroes,
no matter how many times they claimed to fear God—
no... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating: Love and Lagniappe
This is how easily two stiff souls can learn to bend,
And pivot around the mulberry times
Like dancers, defining their time and space.
I find my portion has mingled with your portion,
Losing... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating: Oven
I see in her mottled skin
such visions
of dishwater pain,
The desperately overturned
second-hand furniture,
stripped bare of our lunch money.
Here in the crispest of mornings
lies... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating: Petty Theodicy
the first time he said anything,
I was slightly amused, and wrote
it all down on a gum wrapper.
(wrapper's gone now.)
The second time he spoke,
I had a tape recorder all ready,
and... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating: Churches at Thessalonica
'Ye are all the children of light,
and the children of the day:
We are not of the night,
nor of darkness.'
I Thessalonians 5:5
You and I had grown accustomed
to the heat of... more
Poet: Michael Pollick rating:
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