Travelers Welcome

Travelers Welcome

Sunday, January 8, 2012

“How do I get to Elm?”

by Joseph Hargraves

A thin, black-haired, blue-eyed
girl stopped me on
High and Main Streets.
She asked me “How
Do I get to Elm?” Because I say
whatever pops into my mind
I told her I once stabbed
a guy on Elm because he
called me a “faggot.”
I explained how easily
the knife entered
up under his rib-cage.
She asked: “How
do I get to Elm?
I told her I would
exchange good directions
for her phone number.
She wrote “Becky: 327-9553.”
When I got home
I dialed knowing
she gave me the number
to Luigi’s Pizza Parlor.
The phone rang and
a sweet voice said:
“Hi Joe, this is Becky
I was hoping you’d call.”

Always remember:
People are unpredictable.

13 comments:

  1. Who is more unpredictable, the stabbing poet, or the nice girl who gives her number? They will probably be arrested and write beautiful poems from prison. Good poem. AS

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  2. people are unpredictable, so true. imagine what life would be if humans could be counted on to make logical decisions... good write

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  3. I miss Joe Hargraves poems. he is needed in the poetry scene. there is none like him.

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  4. Spectacular. From the dark tone in the beginning I never expected such a beautiful ending. -CW

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  5. Why is she thin? Why black-haired specifically? Why are you spending two syllables of my life on her exact eye pigment? This poem is color biased and anti-fat and "Luigi's Pizza Parlor" took I'm guessing 1.8 seconds to think up.

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  6. Good, Keep up the good work

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  7. Clever poem, also love the comments. Hargraves is really hitting his stride lately. BTW, Recently went to Luigi's at the corner of Main & 2nd, one block east from High & Main, got two pies for $14.95. I asked for Becky and was told that she doesn't work there anymore. Ya gotta wonder....

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  8. The short-cropped narrative makes for a surreal dream-like progression.
    The ending talks about itself in the third person.
    I am delighted, made clever, & oddly optimistic.
    Much enjoyed.
    Thank you.

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  9. Life and art combined- cause for optimism! Go Joseph!

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  10. a thin, black haired, black eyelashed, vein prominent, green eyed girl talked to me using her redder-on-top tongue and her off-white teeth

    when she did this it was 4:23 pm

    i heard her speak in my green nike shoes

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  11. I too would have given my number to a guy who stabbed another dude, in my younger crazy days. You always give the right amount of details. Good work! China027

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  12. Yes, perfect. It's like a pocket guide to establishing disharmony with others most economically! There is so much to love in this poem! The first line is fantastic. JO

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  13. daring hero and brave heroine Go Joe

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