Distributed for Tupelo Press
Flinch of Song
Jennifer Militello’s work is ruminative and lyrical but with an unusually theatrical verve, which is displayed in associative leaps so agile that readers will be exhilarated by the imagination at work (and play) in each poem. This powerfully unified first book grapples with what is simultaneously gigantic and miniscule in human existence: the momentous everyday dramas of love and family.
Table of Contents
CONTENTS
Manifestation
The Museum of Being Born
The Museum of Being Born / 5
History of the Always Pain / 6
Passing for Red / 7
The Objectless Place, an Ether Twist / 8
History of Siblings / 9
Confusing Past with Passion / 10
Sympathy/Wisdom / 11
Allergic / 12
I Have Never Stood Outside a House Burned Down / 13
Game with Hours Galloping, a Garland / 14
Manifestation
Dark, Godless Reactions
After Days Not Found / 19
The Zero to Breaking / 20
The Window Painted Shut / 21
From Panama, From Ashes / 22
Infliction / 23
Recipe for the Motorcyclist’s Leather Gloves / 24
Aprilia / 26
Reunion / 27
Taking Care / 28
The Conductor’s Last Call Before Leaving / 29
North, with the Ingredients for Rain / 30
A Thorn in the Softest Part of the Hand / 31
What We No Longer Know / 32
(start) / 33
Manifestation
Identity Narrative
Identity Narrative / 37
Living Where the Halyards Can Be Heard / 38
A Thunderstorm Reminds Me of My Convictions / 39
Self-Portrait as Someone Else / 40
Instructions to a Portraitist / 43/
One Side of the Story / 42
This Is Elementary / 43
Flinch / 44
There’s No Such Thing as a Typical Day / 45
Slow the Bleeding / 46
Manifestation
The Last Burning Room
A Summary of Roots / 51
Answering Fear As If It Were a Question / 52
Questions of Perception / 53
Roam Season / 54
Until We Have No Children / 55
Resignation / 56
The Museum of Being, Ended / 57
Azrael Speaks / 59
Miserere / 60
Acknowledgments / 62
Manifestation
The Museum of Being Born
The Museum of Being Born / 5
History of the Always Pain / 6
Passing for Red / 7
The Objectless Place, an Ether Twist / 8
History of Siblings / 9
Confusing Past with Passion / 10
Sympathy/Wisdom / 11
Allergic / 12
I Have Never Stood Outside a House Burned Down / 13
Game with Hours Galloping, a Garland / 14
Manifestation
Dark, Godless Reactions
After Days Not Found / 19
The Zero to Breaking / 20
The Window Painted Shut / 21
From Panama, From Ashes / 22
Infliction / 23
Recipe for the Motorcyclist’s Leather Gloves / 24
Aprilia / 26
Reunion / 27
Taking Care / 28
The Conductor’s Last Call Before Leaving / 29
North, with the Ingredients for Rain / 30
A Thorn in the Softest Part of the Hand / 31
What We No Longer Know / 32
(start) / 33
Manifestation
Identity Narrative
Identity Narrative / 37
Living Where the Halyards Can Be Heard / 38
A Thunderstorm Reminds Me of My Convictions / 39
Self-Portrait as Someone Else / 40
Instructions to a Portraitist / 43/
One Side of the Story / 42
This Is Elementary / 43
Flinch / 44
There’s No Such Thing as a Typical Day / 45
Slow the Bleeding / 46
Manifestation
The Last Burning Room
A Summary of Roots / 51
Answering Fear As If It Were a Question / 52
Questions of Perception / 53
Roam Season / 54
Until We Have No Children / 55
Resignation / 56
The Museum of Being, Ended / 57
Azrael Speaks / 59
Miserere / 60
Acknowledgments / 62