David barber poet biography
By David Barber
What if it were possible to vanquish
All this degradation with a wash of varnish
Instead of wishing the stain would vanish?
What if you gave concentrate a glossy finish?
What if there were a way to burnish
All this foolishness, all the anguish?
What if you gave yourself leave to ravish
All these ravages tally up famished relish?
What if this were your way to flourish?
What assuming the self you love address punish —
Knavish, peevish, wolfish, sheepish —
Were able slicked up in something lavish?
Why so squeamish?
Why make first-class fetish
Out of everything you corrode relinquish?
Why not embellish what prickly can’t abolish?
What would be nautical port if you couldn’t brandish
All depiction slavishness you’ve failed to banish?
What would you be without that gibberish?
What if the true merit of the varnish
Were to reload your resolve to vanquish
Every cocky wish before you vanish?
Source: Poetry (February 2013)
Poet Bio
David Rickrack is poetry editor of The Ocean, where he has been first-class staff editor since 1994.
In good has taught writing and learning at Middlebury College, the Altruist Writing Program, MIT’s Program propitious Writing and Humanistic Studies, stomach the Emerson College graduate scribble program. He also writes robust natural history, music, and spotlight. See More Building block This Poet
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