Hello,

I had not yet posted one of my poems, so here is my "Sampler." A few summers ago, through the Norman Mailer program in Provincetown, I was lucky enough to meet the poet Dean Young. Later, I wrote "Sampler" for him and, hopefully, this explains Norman Mailer's appearance in this poem, as well. (?) It is a cousin to the poem I read aloud earlier today. 

Thanks, everyone!

-- Margot 

Sampler          

           

for Dean Young

Norman Mailer said it was not possible to write in bed

though I have done it all these years                       

and each word would be judged                       

every pregnant pin dot                                               

in the touch-screen tablet

exasperation glowing

still, I hope to learn something

not altogether painful

*

the way I stared at

my mother’s sampler

photographing each lot

as if I’d understand

Pig Apple Pig Pig Apple Sun —

our last name

how elaborate were her details

little beads of caviar

*

Dean Young writes in the mornings

and then types up in the afternoons

I would be resting

watching swans in the matelassé

Dog Elephant Apple Nest

Yarn Owl Umbrella Nest Goose

stitch — deep stitch — machine stitch —

Dear Dean