Fall/Winter 2014



Allan Peterson

PRACTICAL PURPOSES

This morning a small wire jumped in my hand

I thought first dorsal interosseous

like seeing quickly a flick in shrubbery

and thinking redstart   thrush

And when a tight banner cable snapped

I thought how long bones might

shatter like broom straws raving into pain

But since we recover

from so many indignities   even arrogance

I thought this spasm will pass

needing maybe hypnosis   a little potassium


Allan Peterson is the author of four books including, Fragile Acts, and a finalist for both the 2013 National Book Critics Circle and Oregon Book Awards. His next book, Precarious, is forthcoming from 42 Miles Press in 2014.
 


 

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