Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


NURSING HOME: THE CANARY by KAREN SWENSON

First Line: IN THIS HOSPITAL ODOR
Last Line: SPOKES DOWN THE HALL.
Subject(s): CANARIES; NURSING HOMES; OLD AGE HOMES; ASSISTED LIVING;

In this hospital odor
his wings behind the lacquered
brass tendons of his cage
are a pathetic fallacy,

raking away the cosmetics
of grouped vinyl chairs -
the plants arranged like
a high wax finish.

He sings into his striped
shadows of the sun,
as a wheelchair whispers
spokes down the hall.



Home: PoetryExplorer.net