RL Selden

Invention Follies

Diastic from Charles Bernstein

Invent everything. That’s why I love

noise that stays news.

Vexed terms, perhaps ironically, jinxed by,

elitism or arrogance or vulgarity—

not so much aesthetic value.

There is, at present, enormous

imperative for new and improved—

of ourselves and the world we live

not always able to engage the present.

For aesthetic innovation is too

often morally motivated—

luxury for the privileged or

less well-off other.

If we are so well off ourselves

exquisitely beautiful and then sometimes

stronger than our need for lamentation.

Invention is your invention,

no matter its successes

(Vintage Books, 1994).

Everything is subject to change.

Not surprising to think of Poe—

the peculiar American struggle

is one of the most unaccountable

original things. That fact is by

no means a matter.

Found. It must be elaborately sought

of the highest class, demanding

local ways as responses to the historical

like the weather.

Innovation comes in reaction,

expectation of the “best” readers

sustaining it. Approach the alternative.

Ideas of quality understood by

new readers, as Whitman insists

very often. A refined work;

energy on a vertical,

not absolute, quality.

The expectations of existing.

Imagining alternative poetic lineage

often going to great lengths to distance

notions of historical value.

Failing to provide

Often the avant-garde as well—

leading forms fail. Disruptive

life is strife. I was a martyr.

I am counting on 

earlier histories of material

sadness and softening songs.

All

After Harryette Mullen

In the time spice I’m ears

in a day’s work dolled up

Greek to me over now

can’t win them thumbs done

in the family right shook up

the way damn it have it together

better gone in one piece

the aces the angles know it

pull out the stops not there

talk for it free for the rage

over skin and bones over again

once and for or nothing

is said and done that be end

I Used To

A Predictive Text poem

I used to have the exact opposite but now I just have a little more.

I used to do a little more but now I just need a lot of work.

I used to work at a grocery store but now I work at a restaurant.

I used to be able to just about anything but now I just have a little extra.

I used to live and they were great but now I just don’t have time.

I used to be able to get into it but now I just have a little trouble.

I used to be so scared but now I’m just not able anymore.