Category: Poetry Publisher: The Smith Press
ISBN-10: 0912292733
Pages: 48
Copyright: 1983
An epic, long-line poem that takes as its central figure the American people, united by their bloodlines and social institutions. This poem was written during the Vietnam conflict and reflects the dynamics, hopes, and fears of that time--a time similar to our current conflicts in the Middle East. This was Jared Smith's first published book, first appearing in 1983, and is still available through The Smith Press or through Amazon.
Excerpt
mai lai distant
which city
a fogged vision of twisted mouths.
I did not know that women would die
like that;
that sex could dissipate so quickly
in the earth
and remain in its most violent form
a crater in the scaffolding of life
like the metal chassis I build in detroit
and carry home with their moonless roads
in my overalls
I no longer see the torn bodies I
create...
