IS TONAL
jump over
is Dutch for
here is English
over there
sentences
line the water
hold them
don’t let go
clamber onto
the rocks
over here
the rocks
jut your in-
step ache
or agony
the creek
between same
but for small
release of air
an e or gone
I me or agony
you or ache
IS SIGNAL
erosion of
language
from one sea
to shining
high C singers
and painters
what are you
getting at no
time to look
listen driving
winds northern
prairie dead
even roots
choked dry
hear that
coming from
the gut an
international
aspect of dust
is that we are
that we cannot
consume it
consumes us
IS CHARGED
Fon du lac
is empty
of Jenny
Mentink
a hook
on her dress
sash, west
was where
there was
no stopping
it now it looks
like Nether-
lands, sorry
to leave you
so soon sorry
don’t let
Wisconsin
cousins steal
your things
they will try
to steal your
things sorry
IS STRUNG
buried line
post hole
digger clang
but they
float over
the top arm
swelled up
from bee
lungs from
flu deer
want what
little is
green kero-
sene is still
good here
blue of west-
ern bird is
a bluer blue
snow of snow
bunting buried
steers snow
under stars
IS METED
corn is all
strings haired
around hairs
stringed
about fingers
the wisp white
yellowish
whitish yellow
no names
for the odd
flat that ends
in ocean cold
corn we had
enough great
lakes mete out
an oceanish
little ocean
a low sodium
oceanette wind
sounds through
hear old song
in English ear
IS ABUZZ
hold the line
bird light
in locket
spike in
the socket
lifted plumes
to the tall
thunder-
heads when
you stand
hooked
to the line,
lies broken
down into
receiver
the wire
to light on
is not how
to hear leave
a light on
for my voice
wired into
IS SURFACE
sharp rocks lie
between Dutch
sole a hollow
hammering
thing saved for
you was stolen
at the border
Jenny and wisp
both let him take
eyes clay that dust
sticks to covering
where have we
walked covered
never Nether-
lands again cold
fields here feel
sound of marching
rhythm of arrival
is one terror
another is what
ground is this
my eternity
Carolyn Guinzio is the author of six collections, most recently HOW MUCH OF WHAT FALLS WILL BE LEFT WHEN IT GETS TO THE GROUND? (Tolsun Books, 2018) and OZARK CROWS (Spuyten-Duyvil, 2018). She lives in Fayetteville, AR and her website is carolynguinzio.tumblr.com.
