Some Churches, by Tasha Cotter

A Visit to the Modern Art Museum

I stopped by the museum to see a display of modern art.
I have no doubt that the paintings conveyed some meaning to the artist.
Pretty colors, interesting patterns, sometimes familiar shapes emerged.
Vaguely pleasing, slightly boring, only rarely conveying meaning to me.

What constitutes art?  What makes a poem a poem?
Words, put together, lovely phrases, nonsense.
Pretty words, interesting sentences, sometimes meaning emerges.
Meaning?  Sometimes.  Theme?  Must there be a theme?

Some Churches will appeal to some readers.
Poems without meter, rhyme, structure.
Pronouns without antecedents.
Stories without settings.  Settings without stories.

An abstract painting.  A room full of abstract paintings.
Spend enough time in the gallery, perhaps they will speak to you.
Something catches your eye.  You may have missed it before.
Spend enough time in Some Churches, perhaps these poems will speak as well.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the complimentary electronic review copy!