fantastic garlands —provincetown, ma

by Damon Hubbs

Fantastic Garlands - Provincetown, MA

A few days in the Province Lands & I am only one

only one girl crowned

& anchored for her heart’s desire.

The wet heat of Commercial St. tickles me like fantastic garlands

& the lobster dumplings at Mews, forward

not lasting  

but still I can’t loosen your claw

& the bog song of Bearberry Hill says come along

& the wet heat of Commercial St. tickles me like fantastic garlands

blending events feared & desired, actual &

imagined. Now we are the party & the guests

a modern girl larded with multitudes

perfect teeth, screamy dreamy

a magical vampishness to tumble you in the sun.

All day I speak in tongues

like a mermaid, or a spirit—

the Ariels at Long Point Beach know me well,

Molly Bish & Margaret Cavendish know me well

they know my useless dress and cursive singing,

they know cocktails at the Post Office Cafe & Cabaret impress 

it’s the breakwater, Ophelia, that divides me.

*Originally published at The Argyle Literary Magazine

Photo of Damon Hubbs

BIO: Damon Hubbs is a poet from New England. He's the author of the full-length collection Venus at the Arms Fair (Alien Buddha Press, 2024). He has also published four poetry chapbooks, The Day Sharks Walk on Land, Coin Doors & Empires, Charm of Difference, and The Railroad Poems. His work has recently appeared in Revolution John, BRUISER, Apocalypse Confidential, Farewell Transmission, The Gorko Gazette, and others. Damon's poems have been nominated for the Pushcart and Best of the Net.