Jennifer Karmin
DALILA NEVER CUT HER HAIR
a threadlike outgrowth
especially of the skin
of a mammal
harry mother’s ex-boyfriend
that was hated
rapunzel
rapunzel
let
down
your
it itches when
it grows back
american women are
european women are
the white virgin
the bearded lady
we wear short shorts
power(less) of
minute distance
degree or margin
DESK/ A TABLE FRAME OR CASE ESP. FOR WRITING AND READING
the alphabet a a a a a a a lot
comes after a box of papers some
things to do lots of things to do get
things done in the real world get things
done in my world a calendar is useful
a good invention pens books what else
bills letters to send postcards stamps
lists and lists of everything notebooks
full of ideas learn to play chess work on paintings
film to develop a tape recorder mom plays o sue zanna
mail always comes try to decide what should go
in every drawer everyone has a junk drawer
i am organized and not very organized
DESK/ A SPECIALIZED DIVISION OF ORGANIZATION
a plastic fork
four disposable cameras
how to personalize your desk
april is a difficult month
the desk is here
but dad is gone
a bed is not a desk
no dog under the desk
dog hair
a place to put things on
Jennifer Karmin’s text-sound epic, Aaaaaaaaaaalice, was published by Flim Forum Press in 2010. She curates the Red Rover Series and is co-founder of the public art group Anti Gravity Surprise. Her multidisciplinary projects have been presented at festivals, artist-run spaces, community centers, and on city streets across the U.S., Japan, and Kenya. A proud member of the Dusie Kollektiv, she is the author of the Dusie chapbook Evacuated: Disembodying Katrina. Walking Poem, a collaborative street project, is featured online at How2. At home in Chicago, Jennifer teaches creative writing to immigrants at Truman College and works as a Poet-in-Residence for the public schools. You can read more of her work at http://aaaaaaaaaaalice.blogspot.com