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Contributor Series 6: A Currency of Words, Gifts Not Errors


10.01.10 Posted in Contributor Series 6, words to linger on by

Contributor Series 6: A Currency of Words
Gifts Not Errors
(for Sophie)

By Louis Gallo

You will not remember when
you saw leddo, never yellow,
and the integers refused to toll
in rigid gongs, eternally fixed,
but danced … one, two, five,
three, ten, eight and on toward
intinity, the secret number
no one knew about but you.
You will not remember my stories
but you may nemember every word.
You warned me once
as I pruned ivy from our porch
that I might catch a radish.
“No way, Jose,”
I said, which caught you off guard.
Brooding in envy, you waited your chance,
and when it came, stomped into the room
and cried Not for good nothing, Jose,
finger wagging, as mine wags.
You ate hamuka-ka-kas and held
not your horses but your hearts
while the horses made their manora.
If I compiled your perfect mistakes
into a shabby notebook, forgive me.
They were gifts, not errors.
I lost the notebook, I confess,
the way we always lose the things
we need or love. Still,
I’d like to weave your magic words
into a necklace you could wear
once you’ve finally eased into
the cold equations of our tongue–
to remind you always of that first
limitless, lovely world.
I will, for now, nemember for you.
I’ll hold my hearts, braid your leddo hair
and fry a juicy hamuka-ka-ka.
Together may we choke
the fatal radish
until it sings.


Snow in New Orleans by Louis Gallo appeared at vox poetica in January 2010.






4 Responses to “Contributor Series 6: A Currency of Words, Gifts Not Errors”

  1. I’d like to weave your magic words
    into a necklace you could wear. I love that line.

  2. Sarah says:

    This is just beautiful!

  3. Mariah says:

    This is just wonderful. What a perfect way to remember.

  4. lou gallo says:

    Sarah, however late this is, forgive me. I just noticed, computer moron I am. Thank you for the kind words. Peace, Lou

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