Joel Chace

from I Q


world of sad exams —
parallel structure, mayhem —
dusk, her large, gray eyes



rigidity rules —
top of the dark, steep stairwell —
murder, then, will out



while we lie open —
newspapers stacked in a shed —
this moon should turn blue



“ five percent,” she heard —
they were running for the door —
“there, right there,” she heard



in limpidity,
hard to see the corridors,
or any exits



white’s rapid increase —
even in the blue kitchen —
little-wow repents



evolution rag —
rats, briars, mosquitoes, burrs, ticks —
lie down, human head



first they came for us,
then they came for all our souls,
then they came for us



rope burn on ankles —
last frosting, list all crossed off —
sting of sea water



wonder if it’s time —
bought the wrong stamps once again —
black ice on pavement



fingers in the sky —
radio is a fine thing —
what we will do now



thunder and lilac —
Coltrane is playing in May —
Inhale, think again




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.
 
 
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