Trade World Center
by Patrick Lawler

Description

“During the time of a falling city, I came to the Yucatan and spoke to my Mayan friends, and, through the Mayan language and contact with their lush world, I came to inhabit a different place. During a time of fission, I experienced fusion—the coming together of various forces. This book of poetry recaptures that journey and presents a critique, deconstructing the three major themes that are suggested by the reordered name of a fallen building: TRADE WORLD CENTER.” (from the Foreword)

Excerpt:

I tied my eyes to the world.               Place =
Kahal.            I planted in the gardens of the
City of the Dead.                   Story = Tsikbal.
The axis mundi.     The Sacred          Cenote.
The    central     nervous   system       of   the
planet.   To   feel   each   minute’s   blessing.
At what point did we       stop being angels?
Kahal Tsikbal.                                  I cry time.
The city that was the world        tipped over.