A Guide to Reading My Poems (Part One) Wherein I Use the Vocative O

A Guide to Reading My Poems (Part One) Wherein I Use the Vocative O

The return of the beloved does not correct the loss of the beloved. —Louise Gluck, "Persephone the Wanderer"

Oh, "you" of my poems, you must know who
you are. I speak to you more often than I pray
to my domestic gods, the household lares
that look after my tea things. I call each cup
and saucer by the name of its pattern,
rest at the alter of pink Depression glass,
search my mouth for words of invocation
(naming) or supplication (begging), but barring
the ability to call upon demons, I summon
you instead. I wait for a reason to use
the vocative O, wait for a reason to cry
"O Muse, O Love, O Relentless Nothing,
hear me," would like, at these times, to call
on something other than myself, but even
though I search, I find nothing is stronger.