Gillian Conoley

WHEN THEY GOT RID OF THE MIDDLE DISTANCE

When they got rid of the middle distance,
they wasted no time. Two poles
strung with crepe paper wilted
in the rain.

Why was there rain, Comedy Boy wanted
to know. The middle sagged.

Comedy Boy was examining foundations

in order to either break down prestige
and authority completely, or to vindicate

them entirely. Since the poles were beginning to fade, there was no time.

The national life had begun.
No one knew what to do with it.

And the middle sagged, dragged, and fell.

Handsome Dead Man had to pick Comedy boy up off the floor at this point.

They walked clearly through the poles, out onto the field, and waited,

while the poles lengthened and stretched and pulled into the final pierce.

It was a calm day, the poles were clear

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