I don't know why I only picked, like, three poems to read.
Maybe I'll do more.
This is the title poem.
It's called "Allegiance."
I guess I should say a little bit about the book.
I've said things to classes today,
which was really awesome.
And we talked a little bit about how some of these poems happen.
But I grew up in Detroit, and then I moved here to Arizona,
and then I moved back as an adult after moving around.
But I had a really rough relationship
with Detroit when I grew up.
And so moving back as an adult was pretty crazy,
because all of a sudden I liked it,
and I liked all the people that I was meeting,
and I was meeting all these artists.
Anyway, so some of these are definitely located in Detroit,
but like now--
or then, because now I've been gone for a while.
Anyway-- but the East side.
You know, like, Detroit is divided between East side
and West side.
It's like one of those cities.
I grew up on the East, because--
OK, so the thing about the East side of Detroit
is that we're supposed to be a little more, like, real,
and gritty, and kind of raw.
And like, we don't floss very much, because we don't really
have a lot to floss with.
Like, we're kind of struggling.
There's struggles more so than the West side.
You know, the West side has, like, nice lawns and stuff.
Anyway.
OK.
"Allegiance."
An angel would have to have crooked teeth.
This would indicate dental problems the family couldn't
afford to fix.
An angel would need to be familiar with Johnson
and Johnson and cocoa butter, could explain
the taste of powdered eggs.
An angel would have to know when to shut the fuck up.
An angel would not come drunk on vodka
and would prefer gin filthy.
It's hard to tell which angels know how to make chitlins,
but a good angel wouldn't mind you asking.
An East side angel would know how to rig the gas
meter without alerting DTE.
An angel could pick a good wine from the orange price tag
stickers at the liquor store.
A Detroit angel will know where to get a monthly bus card.
A city angel will know where the river's current means jumping
in is really suicide.
A Detroit angel could tell you where
you can use a public computer.
An archangel could tell you where to find one all night.
Any angel would bring a new lexicon.
A city angel would mold a wall of ears,
because there's too much bullshit for two.
A Detroit angel would take all this loose religious fervor
and build us a Jesus.
An angel would let you take cuts.
An East side angel would let you finish your sentence.
Any angel would help you pack your shit
when it's time to move.
An angel will give you back your lost pen.
An East side angel has a spot for you on their porch.
Most angels can fuck.
Some angels wear metal.
An East side angel knows that girls like the taste of pillows
even if we don't talk about it.
A Detroit angel will give you three feet of personal space
at the bus stop.
Any angel will call you first after your date.
An angel will often call you an angel.
Too many angels smoke.
Some angels let their bodies go.
An angel put his weight on you, an angel limber in clouds.
An angel will pick up the coat you dropped.
An East side angel never asks you for cash.
A Detroit angel has never had to use a gun.
A city angel's something dark around the eyes.
Shit talking, lunar-mouthed angel.
Crazy angel with a chipped bone limp.
Bipolar angel with a snapped wing shoulder.
Quiet angels sit with you all night.
An East side angel can read your mind.
Narcissist angel.
Icarus angel.
Lush angel picking its hair up off the floor.
Screeching vocalist, violet, improv, dead horns, overdose.
Angels addicted to addict angels.
Needs a punch to feel it angel.
No one hears the angels scream.
An angel takes in the groceries, climbs the stairs.
Bad knee angels.
Angels subtle.
No one gets the subtle angel.
Angels wear nightgowns stuck in their butts.
Angel's gray hair don't age them right.
Angels black pool around the eyes.
Angels means suicide, and it comes out shapes.
Angels know how to fight off the cops.
Angels offer you coffee, offer you coffee.
Angels might have taken back everything
they're giving you now.
Angels bloody lip.
Angels bashed in heads.
Angels never broke a bone, don't need stitches,
offer you coffee, offer you coffee.
East side angels don't ever change, still look the same.
East side angels, same address.
East side angels on the sideline in case the blows
are too bloody.
Detroit angels stay close to home, close to mama.
East side angels, gaps in their teeth.
Detroit angels wings stuck in Detroit.
Angels pace their East side floor.
Angels pack their wings and luggage.
Angels lock their halos in emergency glass
in case there's trouble.