2 poems
by Richard Chiem
Richard Chiem is the author of You Private Person (Sorry House Classics, 2017), and the novel King of Joy (Soft Skull, 2019), which was long listed for the 2020 PEN Open Book Award. He was named a 2019 Writer to Watch by the Los Angeles Times. His book, You Private Person, was named one of Publishers Weekly’s 10 Essential Books of the American West. He has taught at Hugo House and Catapult. He lives in Seattle.
PARTY MONSTER
for S
1
I heard a
rumor
that you
were supposed
to
ruin me
yes, please
ripples on
the brain
fresh
bouquets
in your
mouth
worn down
to the bone
she says
I’ve seen you
around before
last night
& this morning
I know if I sit
next to
you for long
enough
I will
start to
feel something
I love it
when
you’re
mean
to me
what if
every time
I was
stabbed
bitten
or
ripped apart
torn
limb
from
limb
all that
chosen
violence
was me
trying to get
back to you
from Nashville
to Rome
every decision
makes
perfect
sense
to me
now
2
my favorite
sound
is you
happy
I imagine you
a little alkaline
going through
my whole body
marrow like high
ways & canals
I can feel
you laugh
in my bones
NOWADAYS
for S
1
purple neon
globes &
green neon
fog
bodies
on
bodies
in the
dark
from
the bleachers
I think
they
called
me evil
when I
was younger
too
lost
in the
clouds
fucked
in the
brain
they will need
to get to me
before they
get to you
& I love
the way
birds look
down at you
the gravity
of the room
the moons
of Jupiter
the water
from your
faucet
2
I want
your
bronchitis
the arch
in your
back
& what
little sleep
you get
I will
form
a wall
I will
sever
a limb
come Hell
or high
water
I am
three waring
sisters
I am
the kingdom
waiting for you
to rule
I have
not
said
no
to you
yet