Poem: ‘Burlington County, 1984’
My friend (and wonderful poet), Jared (aka @the_babyfaced_poet) has started a video series on IG — “The Best Words Show” — featuring writers reading one of their works.
He kindly featured me this week, reciting a poem that was recently selected to be included in a new anthology, “New Jersey Bards Poetry Review 2025” — available this month, with thanks to editor James P. Walker.
This particular poem was inspired by a workshop (to edit down something I’ve formerly written) from teacher/poet Michael Paul Thomas, and a prompt (about devils) from The NJ Poetry Circle, a supportive group that meets every Tuesday evening at The Sanctuary community space in Butler, NJ.
Above is Jared’s video of me, after I had recited “Dover Beach” for his sound check and nervously laughed about how I used to recite it to my daughters as a lullaby when they were young — and below is the text.
Thank you, Jared, James, Michael, and Sofia and all at the Poetry Circle (and thank you, Jordan)…
Burlington County, 1984
Driving up the Jersey Turnpike,
skirting a million acres of acidic, sandy soil.
It’s almost dawn.
In the passenger’s seat
Hester closes her eyes, adjusts the halo
embroidered atop her California Angels cap,
and burrows under my letter jacket for warmth.
Bright Venus and the rising sun accent
the needles of the pines lining the highway,
casting shadows that flicker and tremble
like my desire.
I wish I may, I wish I might, now,
make the sun stand still below that distant horizon…
Af if my car were a Mason jar.
As if I could punch air holes in the top
and examine this curiosity named Hester
lazily stretching her butterfly limbs.
I would take my car in my hand
and hold the both of us up
to that faint and heavenly light.
This tiny version of myself I try to preserve
is me at my best, oblivious in young love,
blissfully teased by the Hand of Fate,
warm, palm up, resting on my thigh.
As if, in its lines, I could divine our future together.
As if I weren’t the Jersey Devil in disguise.
Originally published at https://varettoni.blogspot.com.
