Jennifer Moxley - The State

Independent literature for the literature-dependent.

Fall 2007, Volume III / Issue 1

Vol. I
Issue 1

The State
By Jennifer Moxley

However much we wish it so, everything does not change in a moment. The sedative present, tugging, sucking, and many-voiced, timelessly freights the mind. There will be no more marking of days. Under your right arm, a memory crutch, under your left, the future, a failure kicked out upon waking. But as punishment you can still dream. A nursing infant, the birds you have killed, a hill so steep your ascent of it leaves your lover struggling beneath you. Each night in houses you can never return to you leave your promise behind.

Copyright © Jennifer Moxley

Jennifer Moxley’s most recent book is The Line (The Post-Apollo Press, 2007). Her memoir, The Middle Room, is forthcoming from Subpress. She is the poetry editor for The Baffler magazine, and a contributing editor to The Poker. She lives and works in Maine.