Joel Chace : D.R.

Joel Chace has published work in print and electronic magazines such as The Tip of the Knife, Counterexample Poetics, OR, Country Music, Infinity's Kitchen, and Jacket.  Most recent collections include Sharpsburg, from Cy Gist Press, Blake's Tree, from Blue & Yellow Dog Press, Whole Cloth, from Avantacular Press, Red Power, from Quarter After Press, Kansoz, from Knives, Forks, and Spoons Press, and Web Too, from Tonerworks.


                    Probably she can’t recall when the thought came.

                    The idea, after all, is to make cessation slow,

                    an agony.  Making the order, the whole school new and hers.

                    Good soldier, here is a wooden shield; you must bear it

                    lying down.  Windows in Deb’s spacious office pulled in all

                    available light.  Peine forte et dure.  This boulder represents

                    your years of service.  Records show only one occurrence.

                    Then I confess a lie to buy a life. Her happiest moments,

                    signing documents at her rolltop desk.  More weight.  More

                    weight.  She roots for Notre Dame.  And this stone stands for

                    loyalty of your students.  The evidence was spectral but

                    admitted.  More weight.  Which is not life, but only death

                    in life.  And here is your rock of rages; kindly place it

                    over your heart.  She also frequently writes in her book.

                    Giles’s fongue being pressed out of his mouth, the Sheriff

                    with his cane forced it in again, as he was dying.