When I devolved,
it was late afternoon.
I lined old nickels along the window sill,
vending extinction and electrical deluge
from the absurd Akron sky.
I'd had enough.
Rubber companies once existed here.
So did enormous bird-creatures
who spoke languages no automobile can mimic.
I leaned out,
watching the BP sign on the corner seize in the wind.
Behold the power of natural vocabulary.
Akron is the birthplace of the soap box derby--
gravity-driven containers carrying children at high speed.
When I devolved, I grew a shell
and time propelled me backwards
past divorce, failures, rejections, geographic landmarks,
changes in bone structure, loss of logical reasoning and
vestigial tail.
You cannot find me where I've gone.
What was your name?
Why did your skin matter to me?
Why us, and not someone else?
Why not birds,
insects,
volcanoes,
earthquakes,
fireballs,
oblivion?
When I devolved,
it was late afternoon.
By evening, huge, stupid and dying,
I discovered that it hadn't mattered at all--
I'd lost time, nickels, everything Akron could offer,
but retained the ability to cry.
Goodness, that packs a punch.. what would we be if we went back...to where? Fabulous line of thought.
ReplyDeleteThis is lucid in the way dreams are; it tells a truth in cascades of images which flee before the eye before they can be totally grasped, and yet leave their sense, their mood, behind and in charge. I saw pterodactyls, cradles and morasses here as the narrative bore me along, and left me stranded with the speaker disjointed in place and time, and saying goodbye to an age. Vivid, persuasive language and harrowing of mood, this ranks up with all the other gems you've been turning out of late, Shay. "...You cannot find me where I've gone..." brought the goosebumps.
ReplyDeleteWhy us indeed? You are fortunate indeed to have devolved. Another burning razor discus that hits the sweet spot just so. Any suggestions for us schmucks in the peanut gallery?
ReplyDeleteThis is very sad....when everything is lost, but one can still cry. Perhaps it is" time" to get a new blank book, make a new list. XOXOXOXOHUGS
ReplyDeleteThis whole idea of being able to devolve is uncanny, surreal and at the same time exciting.
ReplyDeleteTo left with the ability to cry is worth the while i think
much love...
Maybe the best gift a place has to give is the mourning afterwards.
ReplyDeleteI especially love "you cannot find me where I've gone." As always, I am in awe at your words, imagery, imagination, the scope of your poem. I know how lucky I am to read it.
ReplyDeleteI lined old nickels along the window sill,
ReplyDeleteoh wow - damn, isn't this just a foreboding sense of .... wait, you have to read on ... to know ....
as most apropos - an absolute clinching opening .... and then we are transfixed ....
gravity-driven containers carrying children at high speed.
~ whoot! both innocent and sinister ....
When I devolved, I grew a shell
and time propelled me backwards past ...
changes in bone structure, loss of logical reasoning and
vestigial tail.
damn damn damn - this is like so perfect, it's a scorpion's tail ...
and the ending? wow - it's definitely unexpected - and yet, it's not as forward to interpret as you'd think: is it a good thing? or is it sad? or criminal? a pitch perfect ending where you have to decide for yourself .... and devolve is a totally bang ass wonderful word ..... yup, this is a most excellent gem of a poem .... leaves me wanting to sit with it and become a silent witness best friend to it ....
I discovered that it hadn't mattered at all--
ReplyDeleteI'd lost time, nickels, everything Akron could offer,
but retained the ability to cry.
Despite all the trying times it is still noble to be able to accept it with grace. Fantastic write Shay!
Hank
If ever there were a place for devolution, Akron, Ohio, may as well be it. I really like this, especially the list of things and events lost.
ReplyDelete