Underwood, Robert

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THE CHIROPRACTORmy neighbor swore by him and I was in no shape to argue, hurting like I did. no appointments, people started lining up at 6 AM to see the doc and by 8, it was a full house. I got there at 6 sharp, second in line, and after the wait, the old man started working on me. twisting and popping and turning things ways I'd never imagined; at one point, he even knocked the wind out of me but when I got off that table, feeling sweet nothing, no hurt at all, I knew he knew his stuff.I went back for 3 adjustments, feeling prime and then the doc up and died. asthma com­plications, they say ... but isn't that how it always is; you find something that works and either the price goes sky high or they take it off the market and all you can do is all you can do ....KEEPING UP WITH THE PASTtoday,I'm wearing a shirt I've had for 10 years. a loud but faded Hawaiian print. at one time, it seems as though I wore it every other day. now, it's rarely separated from its hanger but not because I like it less only because I like it more ....POETS DON'T WEAR TIESthey were going to do itat Cal State, in the Eucalyptus Room."Be there at 4," she said. of course,I was late but so were the poets ..."Modern poetry should be at least as interesting as the movies," quoted the professor in his introduction of the poets. I hadn't seen a good flick in some time so I was really mulling that tidbit over when sharp-looking Zepeda stepped up82to the podium. "He's a poet?" she whispered like someone getting a deal. "He's not wearing a tie so he must be," I answered.I probably could've done without the lookshe gave me. Zepeda was pretty good. heread his "John" poems and ended with asorrowful story about a reservation Indianwho'd been shafted by himself and life.next, Locklin lumbered up, gray and gutted,scoping out the audience. "He's a poet?" sheasked, looking short-changed. "Do you see a tie?"she rolled her eyes for an answer. Locklinwas also good. his poems were funny but shadowedwith that everyday sadness. after the applause,I asked, "Would you like a glass of wine?" with her finger pointed at my chest, she informed me,"No one here is wearing a damned tie but you.""That should tell you something," I suggested ....—  Robert Underwood Redlands CAINCIDENT AT 4 A.M.4 naked peoplestood cluttered around the kitchen table in various awkward posturessomehow discussing artTHE MAN WHO JUMPED BEYOND HIS TIMEleft the rooftop too suddenly and diedwithout ever learning whySHE WANTS YOU READYthis girl wants you ready whenever she needs youbut when you need her she often has a headache her period or a juicy argument on the tip of her tongue83

Keeping Up with the Past

https://ddd.uab.cat/pub/wormwood/wormwood_a1987v27n4i108/wormwood_a1987v27n4i108p82.pdf

Keeping Up with the Past

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