Model Homes

Urbane, ribald, melancholic and wry, Wayne Koestenbaum puts a memorable spin on the status quo notion of domestic arrangements.  The thirteen ottava rima cantos in Model Homes present a neo-Freudian tale of the goings-on in the poet's present home and various events from childhood.  "Wayne Koestenbaum has written a magnificent poem about failing to write the magnificent poem he wishes to write.  Here the Byron of Don Juan meets San Jose, Mom, Dad & Steve.  Part riff, part romp, Koestenbaum's metrical hijinks - what he calls form's "striptease liberty" - land him firmly in the profound." - Frank Bidart

Third Canto (excerpt)

1.

My mother is a poet.  Just like me.
      She started first, before I was born, then quit.
I confess I find our sameness slightly creepy,
      Though I'm a willing co-author of it -
Jocasta and her son's joint therapy.
      Typing these words, I need an amulet.
Ottava rima, be my chastity belt!
Protect my lips from incest's melting gelt!

2.

(It's Chanukah.  I'm getting a sore throat.)
        I started writing poetry to place
My soul and fate in league with Mom's, demote
        Authorities, make my warped odes replace
Her past, redress her wrongs - my words a vote
        For her, my hand her deputy...A case
Of overzealous, crocked identification?
I took to heart her every imprecation.

© BOA Editions, Ltd 2004 

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Price: $14.95