A Revelation

American Poetry Review, The, Jul/Aug 2004 by Rhodes, Martha

Don't waste your time talking normally to people who aren't

normal, TH offered, so I stopped.

To my sister: Maybe you could visit Mom more often, do some . . .

shopping . . .

Became: Blabbeddy-blah, blabbeddy-blah, non-pop-ka'poop.

Much easier, TH right again.

Mom remains infrequently visited but I am happier in most

relationships, especially with my sister. Last Thanksgiving,

a breeze.

MARTHA RHODES is the author of three poetry collections: Mother Quiet (forthcoming from Zoo Press in November 2004), Perfect Disappearance (Green Rose Prize, New Issues, 2000), and At the Gate (Provincetown Arts, 1995). She teaches at New School University and the MFA Program for Writers at Warren Wilson College. She is the director of Four Way Books.