Joel Brouwer

COLLEGE DAYS

Yes, the whole enchilada was planned
in advance, including Barrett
doing a handstand in the library.
Now he says he can’t commit. The four
categories I put my feelings in
were days, weeks, months, and years.
Can we go back to your place and see
what there is to eat? Susan walked
sort of like a giant. We assumed someone
must have recorded it. It was a summer night
but it wasn’t a joyful summer night
and before long I’d developed spasms
of the intestines. Even a little bug
is filled with incredible textures.
If you ask me, those people have every right
to come down here, present
their questions, and take all the time
they need. The space between
stars is scary. We have to live with that.

JOEL BROUWER is the author of four books of poems: Exactly What Happened, Centuries, And So, and Off Message. He teaches at the University of Alabama.