April 3, 2010: The Choir, Luke Kennard
The Choir
Luke Kennard
The choir hadn’t left him alone since the first day of summer;
He awoke to find them stationed around his bed.
One day the choir arrived without warning or explanation,
Sang the choir in four-part harmony, handing him toast.
On his first day back at work, the choir stood at his desk,
Singing, The choir are making his professional life impossible.
Two weeks later his partner left him for an osteopath.
Hannah cannot stand the choir any longer, they sang.
That night he pummelled the choristers with his fists;
He beats the choir in frustration, but though they are bruised
And bleeding at the lip, they sing with redoubled vigour, sang the choir.
Then they sang, He cannot get to sleep, he cannot get to sleep,
He cannot get to sleep, in perfect fifths, until he fell asleep.
In time you may even grow fond of us, they sang, quietly.
On this day in…
2009: I Come Home Wanting To Touch Everyone, Stephen Dunn
2008: Visible World, Richard Siken
2007: Anywhere Else, Maggie Dietz
2006: After Work, Richard Jones
2005: The Sheep-Child, James Dickey
