Testament of the Thief
Hamill, Sam
Poem Testament of the Thief I always say the sweetest things about those from whom I'm stealing. I want them to like me, I want them feeling downright comfortable in their skins. I ripen them...
...I leave behind the misery of my art...
...He is the founder of Poets Against the War and was editorial director at Copper Canyon Press for thirty-two years...
...Cautious, a bit withdrawn, but friendly enough right from the start...
...I ripen them on platitudes-a kind of psychological theft of sorts, it's trueexpressions of faux gratitude, good willwhile the left hand opens the till...
...I never cause a disturbanceno too-loud laughter, no angry glance...
...Sam Hamill Sam Hamill's "Almost Paradise: New and Selected Poems and Translations" was recently published by Shambhala...
Vol. 69 • July 2005 • No. 7
