WEBVTT

00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:00.900 align:middle line:90%


00:00:00.900 --> 00:00:03.270 align:middle line:84%
Like the first poem, this
one's also at a party.

00:00:03.270 --> 00:00:06.390 align:middle line:90%
This one's in Tucson, Arizona.

00:00:06.390 --> 00:00:08.850 align:middle line:84%
Some of you may recognize
yourselves at this party,

00:00:08.850 --> 00:00:11.160 align:middle line:90%
perhaps.

00:00:11.160 --> 00:00:13.980 align:middle line:84%
The title, "Animatronic
Poem" refers

00:00:13.980 --> 00:00:18.700 align:middle line:84%
to puppets that are animated
by electronic devices.

00:00:18.700 --> 00:00:20.220 align:middle line:90%
"Animatronic Poem."

00:00:20.220 --> 00:00:23.070 align:middle line:90%


00:00:23.070 --> 00:00:26.700 align:middle line:84%
"A few locals loll with
their legs stretched.

00:00:26.700 --> 00:00:28.950 align:middle line:90%
They look dead or relaxed.

00:00:28.950 --> 00:00:32.640 align:middle line:84%
The moment before action
where re-shooting a scene.

00:00:32.640 --> 00:00:35.280 align:middle line:84%
Bowls of guacamole,
salsa, and chips

00:00:35.280 --> 00:00:37.830 align:middle line:90%
hold positions on the low table.

00:00:37.830 --> 00:00:41.790 align:middle line:84%
Bouncy Latin music breaks from
the player in the armoire.

00:00:41.790 --> 00:00:46.380 align:middle line:84%
I surface from my thoughts,
bloated as a submarine.

00:00:46.380 --> 00:00:48.360 align:middle line:90%
A couple spins briefly.

00:00:48.360 --> 00:00:51.840 align:middle line:84%
She's wearing an ivory
skirt and bright tank top.

00:00:51.840 --> 00:00:55.200 align:middle line:84%
Works her hips such that
the spaghetti straps droop

00:00:55.200 --> 00:00:56.730 align:middle line:90%
a little down both arms.

00:00:56.730 --> 00:01:00.330 align:middle line:84%
She's having fun for the
first time in a while.

00:01:00.330 --> 00:01:03.690 align:middle line:84%
Maybe the world stopped
and started again.

00:01:03.690 --> 00:01:07.110 align:middle line:84%
Why else is the barbed wire
behind the house notched

00:01:07.110 --> 00:01:10.510 align:middle line:84%
with pieces of
dresses and trousers?

00:01:10.510 --> 00:01:13.200 align:middle line:84%
A guy with a ponytail who's
been hiding in the kitchen

00:01:13.200 --> 00:01:15.570 align:middle line:90%
occupies the couch with a cola.

00:01:15.570 --> 00:01:17.760 align:middle line:90%
Rapid fire laughter.

00:01:17.760 --> 00:01:20.310 align:middle line:84%
When asked who you
are, say my name.

00:01:20.310 --> 00:01:24.060 align:middle line:84%
I'd like to do one brave
thing before I'm ashamed.

00:01:24.060 --> 00:01:25.830 align:middle line:90%
Somebody shouts.

00:01:25.830 --> 00:01:29.280 align:middle line:84%
Another holds his finger in one
ear and a phone to the other,

00:01:29.280 --> 00:01:30.690 align:middle line:90%
his face tight.

00:01:30.690 --> 00:01:32.280 align:middle line:90%
'Are you here?'

00:01:32.280 --> 00:01:34.560 align:middle line:90%
Hunting for someone.

00:01:34.560 --> 00:01:37.080 align:middle line:84%
Squeals accompany the
unwrapping of gifts.

00:01:37.080 --> 00:01:39.660 align:middle line:84%
Paper party dresses
hastily removed.

00:01:39.660 --> 00:01:41.550 align:middle line:90%
People shoved into a pool.

00:01:41.550 --> 00:01:44.670 align:middle line:84%
Spilled salsa, tequila,
the past, the future,

00:01:44.670 --> 00:01:46.680 align:middle line:90%
all hobnobbing.

00:01:46.680 --> 00:01:50.250 align:middle line:84%
Do we few who never knew
war think of ourselves

00:01:50.250 --> 00:01:52.530 align:middle line:90%
as political victims?

00:01:52.530 --> 00:01:57.528 align:middle line:84%
At any point along a continuum,
does horror negate life?"

00:01:57.528 --> 00:01:58.028 align:middle line:90%