Pantoum from the 44th Floor
True Story w/Mourning Dove

Nicole Callihan

Abstract

Two poems

Pantoum from the 44th Floor

Rather than to rest on load-bearing walls
of conventional construction, the skyscraper
offers walls designed solely to keep the weather out
and the occupants in. See the woman in her robe—

of conventional construction—the skyscraper
surrounding her, holding her closely
and the occupants in. See the woman in her robe—
the birds below her; the glass wall of windows

surrounding her, holding her closely.
She is held in, and the weather is out.
The birds below her, the glass wall of windows:
to be held in is to be at a transparent remove.

She is held in, and the weather is out,
offering walls designed solely to keep the other out:
to be held in is to be at a transparent remove,
rather than to rest on load-bearing walls.

True Story w/Mourning Dove

The day had been a picnic blanket. It was laid out. It was, perhaps, even gingham. I looked out from my window on the 44th floor. The birds flew beneath me. Some mornings, my daughters like to pretend that the cars and buses below are their toys. And why wouldn’t they be? Except, of course, that they are transporting humans, and the humans are carrying quarter chickens in plastic containers, and handkerchiefs, and candies to suck on when their throats feel dry, and also their own organs, some of which may be enlarged, some diminishing, some sending cues through their bodies which are translated into feelings of longing or despair. When Caitlin came to visit, she said, living here must change your very cells. I served her tuna and hardboiled eggs. Was I different? I could only guess. Did she want something sweet? No. Tea? No. Is that a drone? Why, yes, it is.

Fig. 1. Weather Out, Occupants In. Photo credit: Nicole Callihan. 

About the author

Nicole Callihan writes poems and stories. Her novella, The Couples, will be released by Mason Jar Press in summer 2019.