‘Music needs silence / more than silence needs music.’ New poetry by Rae Armantrout.
The trees, good Seraphim,
begin to sing
at dawn
about making sugar
out of light
and the happy traffic
between high and low –
as if that were all
*
I expect compensation
for all I don’t
say –
for each time I stop
before coming
to an obvious conclusion
or an uncertain end –
for my discretion.
*
(Music needs silence
more than silence needs music.)
Photograph © Alexander Tiupa
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Camilla Grudova on bad-mannered customers.
‘Anyone who has ever worked night shifts will understand the vertiginous feeling that comes with staring down the day from the wrong end.’
A.K. Blakemore on working nights.
‘I was constantly reading job ads, trying to find my holy grail – a job I could stand to do, and someone foolish enough to hire me.’
Sandra Newman on learning how to play professional blackjack.
‘I loved being a receptionist. What I loved about it was playing the part of being a receptionist.’
Emily Berry on being a temporary office worker.
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Junot Díaz on working for a steel mill.
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‘Curses’, ‘Familiar Ground’ and ‘Lions’ by Rae Armantrout.
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‘Poetry is a disgrace on a warm spring day in March. You look at the sky with unconditional love.’
Poetry by Frederick Seidel.
