IMAGINARY DEAFNESS
Why are you nibbling on my crust?
I ask. Sometimes my sister seems not
to notice even when I talk at a 3
directly to her. she seems to have
already disembarked on An
adventure the internet a book
some cheesy newspaper comics.
Soleil says It ruined her life
hazel too clara included The
monster inside the keyboard
hasn’t devoured ruby Yet
sometimes I wish It had
Not now. Sitting on my toilet
talking to a nobody a
non-hearing nobody. but hey
Responds she does. apparently
it was just imaginary deafness
—from 2015 Rattle Young Poets Anthology
__________
Why do you like to write poetry?
Elliot L. Armitage: “When I write poetry, I feel like I empty myself and then I can start myself anew.”