The Afterlife of Paper

By Peter Gizzi

the last best love is language in the mouth

the last best hope for joy doesn’t forget

a besting sensation

the last stranger blooming on the tongue

a compass rose blooming internally

laying down track

riding the rails

wake unto me


“The Afterlife of Paper” from Now It’s Dark © 2020 by Peter Gizzi. Published by Wesleyan University Press. Used with permission.