Monster, and: Poke

Abstract

Monster, and: Poke Hailey Leithauser (bio) Keywords Hailey Leithauser, Monster, Poke Monster Many nights I talk in silence to the stars.Only I and the dim, distant fires, none else to throw a shadow on the shadowed ground. Some hearts rest a smaller roof, a closer fire,the warmth of other voices sung to nearer ears. Evening, soft black wool pulled neat beneath the chin,rain, a bog-bred thief, tethering dark to wind. [End Page 103] Poke Better the gloriousroar thana dank,clammy breathon the neck,brighter the teethwhen surlyand snow-white and neat,and surpassingby star and light yearthe thistleand burr, the needleand prick,over bickeror buffering, blusteroussneer,is the lureof the tumbledown cageand the bearand the stick. [End Page 104] Hailey Leithauser HAILEY LEITHAUSER is the author of Swoop, published by Graywolf Press in 2013. She has recent or forthcoming work in 32 Poems, the Gettysburg Review, Poetry, the Yale Review, and The Best American Poetry 2015. Copyright © 2015 University of North Carolina Wilmington