originally published March 2002
Audio: Hear Linda Gregerson read this poem (2:02) Also by Linda Gregerson: Varenna (2010) Two Poems (2009) Constitutional (2008) Bright Shadow (2006) Waterborne (2000) Target (1996) For the Taking (1993) Safe (1990) From the archives: Isabella Whitney's "Wyll and Testament" Essay and readings by Linda Gregerson (April 2007) William Shakespeare, Sonnet 116 introduction by Linda Gregerson (October 27, 1999) |
It's another sorry tale about class in America, I'm sure
you're right,
but you have to imagine how proud we were.
Your grandfather painted a banner that hung from Wascher's
Pub
to Dianis's Grocery across the street: Reigh Count,
Kentucky Derby Winner, 1928.
And washtubs filled
with French champagne. I was far too young
to be up at the stables myself, of course, it took
me years
to understand they must have meant in bottles
in the washtubs, with ice.
His racing colors
were yellow and black, like the yellow
cabs, which is how Mr. Hertz first made the money
that built
the barns that bred the horses, bred at last this perfect
horse, our hundred and thirty seconds of flat-out earth-
borne bliss.
They bought the Arlington Racetrack then, and Jens
got a job that for once in his life allowed him to pay
the mortgage
and the doctors too, but he talked the loose way even