Existence, Breaking

Existence, Breaking, Jorge Evans’ second chapbook, is structured as two conversations–one from the speaker, the other from a ghostly presence named Emily. The book consists of two parallel sectioned poems, both speaking to each other, but neither hearing the other.

Author comment:

When I started this these poems, they were a way for me to categorize, or deal with, the relationship ghosts of my past and it, over time, morphed into what it is now. I’ve been interested in letter writing and the fact that when you write a letter, a real, hand written letter, once it’s sent there’s no taking the words back. Now, these poems aren’t letters. They’re thoughts or considerations, each about the other, but I think it still has that letter quality to it.

Evans currently lives in Mankato, MN, and is finishing his MFA in poetry.

Order Existence, Breaking here.

Sample from Existence, Breaking:

Addresses to Emily

II.
It’s something I can’t exactly know,
the way you enter and exit.
And it’s something so relaxed,
the way you say goodbye
every night like being alone in church,
the choir still deafening.
Where did you come from?
why choose here, if it was
your decision to make?

It’s not that I mind you being here,
breaking existence—if you need to—

but you must know those love songs,
those fifties scratchy melodies
that sound better on vinyl
than they could in digital,
weren’t written for you.

Why do you sit on my couch,
counting threads every night?
I can’t change the record for you
when I sleep.

You don’t listen.

Addresses from Emily

I use a door like anyone else,
you just don’t hear when I come through
to your room where the sheets are always pulled tight
and your feet are wrapped like a mummy.

I wonder if your mom ever got mad
that you didn’t make the bed every morning
and if you did, that you tore sheets from mattress every night
to keep your feet safe from whatever’s in the closet.