Replacement Poem

(Original) Columbia the Gem –Gerald Stern   I know that body standing in the Low Library,   the right shoulder lower than the left one, the  lotion sea lotion-   his hold is ended.   Now the mouths can slash away in memory 5   of his kisses and stupefying lies.   Now the old Reds can walk with a little spring   in and around the beloved sarcophagi.   Now the Puerto Ricans can work up another funny America   and the frightened Germans can open their heavy doors a little. 10 Now the River can soften its huge heart   and move, for the first time, almost like the others   without silence.

(Replacement) What a World –Me       You recognize this grandma crouching in the ancient home, the upper hip bothering the lower one, the cherry blossom/ mothball perfume- her scent is lingering. 5   In the future rumors would dwindle away, all in reminiscence      of her exaggerated stories and her fabulous fabrications.      By then the old crowd of roommates will go off to bingo            night here and there as they go.          Here at the home there would be crying babies taking on          10  grown  bodies,     Benjamin Buttons, for our world.