Pantoum by Andy Jackson

Hold for now

a disorder of connective tissue sewn into who I am

a gift of frailty in a world of continuous improvement

            what looks like a pattern is composed of chaos

the universe an infinite reflecting web

a gift of frailty in a world of continuous improvement

            I didn't think of having children until I met you

the universe an infinite reflecting web

no self exists, but who said that?

            I didn't think of having children until I met you

genetic screening is not an anagram for suicide

no self exists, but who said that?

            try to put my finger on it and it disappears

genetic screening is not an anagram for suicide

you can be so lonely you don't want to be touched

            try to put my finger on it and it disappears

things fall apart or hold for now

you can be so lonely you don't want to be touched           

            what looks like a pattern is composed of chaos

things fall apart or hold for now

a disorder of connective tissue sewn into who I am

 

- Andy Jackson

 

Andy Jackson's Among the Regulars (papertiger media 2010) was shortlisted for the Kenneth Slessor Prize. His poems have recently appeared in Meanjin, Cordite, Wordgathering and the Medical Journal of Australia. He is currently writing poems about medical tourism, and portraits of people with Marfan Syndrome. He blogs at amongtheregulars.wordpress.com