Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, A LONG WAY OUTSIDE YELLOWSTONE, by THOMAS MCGRATH


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

A LONG WAY OUTSIDE YELLOWSTONE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Across the tracks in cheyenne, behind the biggest billboard
Last Line: Wondering if hers is among them. Or perhaps not
Subject(s): Denver, Colorado; Sacramento, California; Wyoming; Yellowstone National Park


Across the tracks in Cheyenne, behind the biggest billboard,
Are a couple of human beings who aren't in for the Rodeo.
A week out of Sacramento, Jack, who was once a choir boy,
And Judy, a jail-bird's daughter, make love against the cold.
He gets the night freight for Denver. She hitches out for Billings.
But now under one blanket they go about their business.
Suppose you go about yours. Their business is being human,
And because they travel naked they are fifty jumps ahead of you
And running with all their lights on while half the world is blacked out.

Poverty of all but spirit turns up love like aces
That weren't in the deck at all.
Meanwhile the cold
Is scattered like petals of flowers down from the mountains of exile
And makes comradeship essential, though perhaps you choose not to believe it.
That doesn't matter at all, for their hands touching deny you,
Becoming, poor blinded beggars, pilgrims on the road to heaven.

Back in the Park, at the best hotel, it is true
The mountains are higher, and the food oftener, and love
As phony as a nine-dollar bill. Though perhaps
When the millionaire kisses the Princess farewell (he's going nowhere)
She weeps attractively in the expensive dark, moving --
O delicately -- among the broken hearts, perhaps haunted,
Wondering if hers is among them. Or perhaps not.


Used with the permission of Copper Canyon Press, P.O. Box 271, Port Townsend, WA
98368-0271, www.cc.press.org




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