Jennifer Karmin's text-sound epic, Aaaaaaaaaaalice, was published by Flim Forum Press in 2010. She curates the Red Rover Series and is co-founder of the public art group Anti Gravity Surprise. Her multidisciplinary projects have been presented at festivals, artist-run spaces, community centers, and on city streets across the U.S., Japan, and Kenya. At home in Chicago, Jennifer teaches creative writing to immigrants at Truman College and works as a Poet-in-Residence for the public schools.
that's the reason they're called lessons
hands sticky
thumb nails
stained
two small
mikan
oranges
gifts from
two kid friends
they are seven
and tell them
you are
seven
too
listen
for words
to understand
why to sign
your name
on their father's
petition
why the government
wants to move
the town cemetery
their dead families
reverse the conversation
how was your day
what did you do
where are you from
because they lessen
from day to day
***
take care of the sense
underground tunnels
strangeness
of war
a place
where 175
japanese men
killed themselves
after
americans smiled
held babies
gave out chocolates
okinawa is
blue green ocean
comfort of water
middle
of night
sleep
stops
hot
sunburn
go for
a walk
tranquil
in a dream
feeling of
somewhere
totally
unknown
and the sounds
will take care
of themselves
***
i mean
vladimir declares
he is
the best poet
in siberia
was sent
for three years
as a dissident
stayed now
twenty-two years
having just arrived
today
tell him
he is the only poet
you know
in siberia
flick of light
in his eyes
he motions big arms
shouts poetry
walt whitman
in russian
mystery
why lake baikal
does not freeze
when everything
else does
winter has come early
no one expected it
what i say
***
a curious
leaving
no closure
open what
is inside
matryoshka
a russian toy
to teach children
nothing is ever
what it seems
a smiling woman
another
and another
search
for the smallest
tiniest self
uncover
what is
underneath
take all
the people
carry them
inside
find
what is
home
dream