I Want Answers! (from Anna Meister)
So last week’s episode was a smashing success: I got through the entire show without dropping my note cards and Dara made it to the final round without using even one lifeline. Which is about as good as an episode of this show can go without a round of Plinko.
Today I’m diving toe-first into the Atlantic and hoping that a “boaht” can find me. The newest issue of BOAAT is a friggin’ 90 ton sperm whale: it’s got great pieces from Paul Cunninghm and Keegan Lester and Paul Arrand Rodgers and GOOD GOD JOANNA NOVAK. But the poet I want answers from is Anna Meister, who wrote this brilliant//beautiful//heartbreaking epic that includes one of the most powerful stanzas that I’ve read since I figured out who Frank Stanford was:
the day
my grandfather was buried
behind the frozen cornfield
wayne handed dad the shovel & said
you have to dig the hole
i remember his mud covered suit
& cheeks quickly drying in the winter air
i remember him
silent
but now that same face
all wet & burning
now his grip under the icicles
his clean wail
a pitch never before heard
god i’m sorry
i’m so sorry god
but he is speaking to me
So yeah, soak that in and read the rest of the poem. But hey! Anna! What I’m really wondering is: when was the last time you prayed and what were you praying for?
Mark Cugini is managing editor of Big Lucks, a strategist for Real Pants, and the author of I'M JUST HAPPY TO BE HERE (Ink Press, 2014). Find him at http://markcugini.com
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