#179 / 2011 Winter: Albuquerque

NO JOE

#179

Published in Malpais Review: Spring 2011

(A tributed issue for Beatlick Joe Speer published by Gary Brower)

I wish I understood string theory better

co-existing alternative realities all sandwiched together

I could turn a corner and there you would be

on the other side of some whole wheat toast

You ran off while I went to the store

your beginning to unbuckle

There is one of your poetic recitations

on my MP3 player

Now I call it your intellectual property

I avoid that part of the band width

I miss your voice but I sure don't

want to hear it digitally.

After a month I dreamed of you

You were conspicuous in your absence.

I merely dreamed you weren't there

Body and soul I know you are gone

Not once have I called your name out

by mistake.

Beatlick Pamela Hirst