For Robin Blaser


So what is this After after?

Beginning.

Man or nobody was before

a miracle
a mirror and terrible

Who are you?

The actor possible
only as speaker
cannot will her disclosure
her demon of a shadow
universe
on her shoulder.

Speak in the war.
You will disclose nothing
mere talk
mere propaganda
lip service.

We are
in oracles

parrots as signs

not things

being in between
being webbing

puppets
of invisible hands.



This poem “For Robin Blaser” originally appeared in Canadian Literature 180 (Spring 2004): 70.

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