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a poem by Stephanie Lenox
An Explanation of America: A Poem for My Cat
--after Robert Pinsky
Perhaps I should start by comparing it
To a long nap in a warm sunny spot
Or to a playful romp with the dead carcass
Of a mouse bounced along the kitchen floor,
Trail of damp red blooms leading to your food dish
Where you left it, distracted by kibble;
Or perhaps I should compare it to the couch,
From which you get so much pleasure destroying.
It does not matter; I want to tell you something
About our country, and since you can’t read
And don’t vote, and since you could care less
About democracy as long as you are fed,
I write this poem not to you, exactly,
But to my idea of you:
perched and purring
Atop the morning paper, you who can’t read
But always seem to know which article
I intend to read next, who stretches
Across news or comics, fat country of fur,
Demanding my absolute allegiance.
Go to Volume 0.1 /Previous/Next
First published, Main Street Rag
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