Jackhammer Song

Weekly Poem (Audio)

I’m jumping octaves again
Startling the pigeons in front of the cathedral

Trolling the lake’s edge
Sending swans huffing into the reeds
(Once I caught them eating the ducklings and they’ve never forgiven me)

The catfish suck at the high notes
Percussive smacks of mistake

No, I sing, no, I sing, no

Put my nipples under the loupe
You’ll find clusters of taut-skinned cloudberries

Wear my diaphragm for a hat
And I’ll sing you into the asphalt

(from mixed states. Wigestand forlag. 2009)
preview image: Photo by Robert Woeger on Unsplash

Thank you for taking the time to read or listen. I’d love to hear your thoughts—I hope that you will share them in the comments on Substack, or join the discussion in the Dramatic Roots chat, where note sharing can become an act of literary citizenship. Post a link to your work, and share another.

I’ll be back later this week with a process journal essay. Until then, may your week be filled with good moments.

Warmly,

Ren

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