John Yau
After

I slum among crumbs, a spotted shadow

before I become a surrogate republic

for you: O decorated cyborg

O Comrade Snowflake in a lonely pool

 

Before I become a surrogate republic

I blushed fossils with phosphorous

O Comrade Snowflake in a lonely pool

I still sing faithfully to each and every vertebrae

 

I blushed fossils with phosphorous

Is this really your final answer

I still sing faithfully to each and every vertebrae

I kiss each mouth you give me

 

Is this really your final answer

For you: O decorated cyborg

I kiss each mouth you give me

I slum among crumbs, a spotted shadow

 
Found In Volume 33, No. 02
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  • John Yau
John Yau
About the Author
John Yau has published over 50 books of poetry, artists' books, fiction, and art criticism. He has been the Arts editor of The Brooklyn Rail since March 2004. He also runs a small press, Black Square Editions, which publishes translations, poetry, and fiction. Yau currently teaches art criticism at Rutgers University