This poem is taken from PN Review 5, Volume 5 Number 1, October - December 1978.

Three Poems

Charles Boyle

DESERT REST HOUSE

A radio bleats, a dog
ponders a rat, clawed and half-alive-
this is nowhere, nothing, a one-night stand
anonymous, available.

Gradations of colour and shadow
presage no angels, we watch them
for what they are, symptoms of a disease
at large within us.

A wrecked car is being explored
by children-as ours will be,
though the mechanic swears
it's fixed now, we can go on.

The light curdles on walls
Tracks lead off, ruts,
into that brief cold clarity
...
Searching, please wait...