Kathryn A. Kopple: Al-ghazal

Green Mountains Photo Moustafa Elsamadouni, Pexels

We are pleased to keep company with Kathryn Kopple, who is a poet and novelist, and runs the literary blog The Leaving Years. Two of her published novels are Little Velásquez and The Leaving Year. She has previously collaborated with AN’s literary editor Peter Cowlam in the production of his collection of poems Addendum Manifesto. Kathryn’s introduction to these poems was tailored for an American audience.

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Al-ghazal

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Here I am questioning when what I want is an answer.
Beg my pardon but the silence is blistering. I want an answer.

What is a compass since you’ve gone? A futile instrument.
It points north and south but never utters a word. I want an answer.

Georgia is named after King George II. Georgia, where you were born.
The house had a veranda. Did you carve your initials? I want an answer.

You said you could live off air and angels. A heavenly menu.
Life held you back. Worse, it held you down. Life! I want an answer.

I’ve been called timid, but I’ll try anything. Am I your convert?
A psychic read my palm. I’m not sure what I heard. I want an answer.

Stars make for tricky navigation. I’ve tried. We ran aground.
And then you sailed off again undeterred. I want an answer.

My vessel leaks from all the tears shed by clouds. I don’t look up now.
I uttered every prayer and of nothing I’m assured. I want an answer.

Madness rises to play chess with the universe night after night.
It would help if all that suffering were worth it. I want an answer.

You wanted to be immortal. I, your daughter, a mere mortal.
And yet I may be the one who can’t be cured. I want an answer.

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Kathryn A. Kopple holds a doctorate in Latin American literature (NYU). Her focus is the surrealist poetry of the Rio de la Plata. She has also published original poetry and prose in multiple venues, including The Threepenny Review, Bellevue Literary Review, and The Shell Game: Writers Play with Borrowed Forms. She has published two novels – Little Velásquez and The Leaving Year – set in Spain. Kathryn also hosts the literary blog The Leaving Year.