by Andy Brown
This week and next, Poem of the Day is presenting Andy Brown's 10-part poem, The Trust Territory. I think there's much to enjoy in each individual segment, and even more so when all ten pieces are put together. Also, at least some parts of it are especially suited to this time of year.
Please see after today's piece for information on where to find the poem in print.
I imagine you've changed little since our thing
in the Great Rift, so far away this morning
as I sit here drinking coffee on the terrace of the café
La Délicieuse.
I imagine you still wear that face all other
men could love. I am tempted to believe, however
briefly, that although there is no antidote
there's hope --
the feeling that we've lived through this before
and know what's coming next. Your silence is
obscure. Still you're
imprisoned
by a world where things are held by threads --
the prince on the princess's hair; Damocles' sword;
all those feelings you shored-up,
but never fully expressed.
The Trust Territory was originally published as a poetry chapbook, now out of print. It's currently available in Fall of the Rebel Angels: Poems 1996-2006 (find the best prices online here). The versions posted here are taken from the latter. From the author's acknowledgements for that volume: "Many [poems in this collection] appear as they were first published in individual volumes, others have been edited over the years and it is these final versions I wish to preserve."
Andy Brown's latest book is Goose Music, co-authored with John Burnside.
Please see here for information on Poem of the Day and copyright.
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