Poetry Founded in 1912 by Harriet Monroe
Home
Magazine
Web Exclusive
Letters
Books
About


Featured Poem
Rule


Joshua Mehigan’s first book, The Optimist (Ohio University Press), was a finalist for a 2004 Los Angeles Times Book Prize. He lives in Brooklyn with his wife, Talia Neffson.


Email a friend >>
Printable version >>
Citation
by Joshua Mehigan

Their ruler is elected state by state,
and no one cuts his heart out as he drowses.
Their senior citizens still copulate.
Their convicts are allowed to change their blouses.

In this backyard there hangs a gutted deer,
and in that driver's seat there sits a wife.
They have their MMR and Retrovir.
They have their quarter-century more life.

Each commoner receives a welcome mat.
The maids have maids, and plumbers go to Paris.
They call their waiters "sir." The poor are fat.
They eat. They do not easily embarrass.


 
Current Issue
Past Issues
Historical Index
Past Issues

 SEARCH
 
 

 Copyright © The Poetry Foundation    Privacy Policy/Terms of Use    Contact