Natalee Caple : Hello, you've reached 1994. I'm unable to reach you unable to remember what I was trying to say. Please leave a message for me please don’t say, goodbye for now.

 

 

 

I thought I thought a waste a curtain in front of something I wanted to write 

I was going to phone and say no one owns the water friend to my way of thinking you would answer me beautiful astronaut sure sure we look older but answering doesn’t cost a dime don’t laugh but I remember you saying when I was sad as we kissed goodbye what a lovely kiss and I said tell everyone Gosh I think I’m drunk again! I want to be drunk again all of us in a living room a room where we are all alive

Hello those you awhile bereaved Hello daughters and lovers Hello wife and friends Hello

Black curls black irises insomnia guitars sunflowers chili

What if I keep saying bastard, is that a spell? Please don't cut me off by dying leave a voice in the void to stall goodbye 

Fuck nature & nature poems find signals on impossible winds keep from disconnecting right now cause it’s not time for you I'm screening memories in a factory and waiting up for an explanation 

 

                                                                 for Steven Heighton (1961-2022)

 

Natalee Caple is the author of nine books of poetry and fiction. Her latest book of poetry, Love in the Chthulucene/Cthulhucene was published by Wolsak and Wynn in Spring 2019. Natalee is an associate professor at Brock University.