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FOUR POEMS
by Hoa Nguyen
ODE
We ate outside you could smell the ocean
and petrol Seagulls scream
look for pieces of food or what have you
Go look for pieces the lost
body Bury that piece Clams
and their rich stomachs
at Little Neck
What kind of ode is this
She moulded human images
out of wax and spices
We eat pretend desserts
normally chocolate
but sometimes pickle cake
9 FLAT FLIES IN THE HOUSE
“It’s one huge reckless orchestra” – Eileen Myles
Squirrel scolding and grackles
Really what could the upset be
Christine’s stomach growls “Excuse me”
Phone rings work must
replace the employee
you no longer want and now hates you
Face the purple flowers in the
flower-food water
Texas grown sucking stems
Named Anemone
Hating my needing to be loved
Dear Texas here I am
near your “heart” and the “Value Sky Park”
Jumping spider on the kitchen counter
“I don’t know what I’m learning”
“That’s the point”
THE STARBUCKS MERMAID
The Starbucks mermaid logo
has lost her nipples
I coffee you a bit
fiery with my purple tongue
& random sadness
Gasoline @ $65 dollars a barrel
(13 August 2005)
You can plug your phone
into the Tibetan bowl bell (on sale)
for a more pleasing tone
We put the poopy blocks
outside and then it rained
STRANGELY TOUCHED
Strangely touched that Vili and Mary Kay tied the knot
8 AM rain now hot hot Memorial Day
And last night’s dream with drowning
kittens in the bloody toilet bowl
more moon-mess in the tub
& I laugh even when my father stops
and says, “hi”
10 AM whacked the wool bed pad
on the line with a long rod and smote
dust mites
Also carried wash and 2 kids
in a plastic basket
The phone rings
“It’s me” “I love you”
BIO
Born near Saigon in 1967, Hoa Nguyen grew up in the DC area and studied poetry at New College in San Francisco, California. She now lives in Austin, Texas, with the poet Dale Smith; together they publish Skanky Possum, a book imprint and journal, and curate a monthly reading series. Her books include Your Ancient See Through (Sub Press, 2002) and Red Juice (Effing, 2005). Her second full length book is forthcoming in 2007 from Hot Whiskey Press.