daydream nation

A Short Lexicon of Torture in the Eighties

by Edward Hirsch 

That’s not a man in pain

                                     but a Brazilian phone—

It won’t be making any outgoing calls.

That’s not a woman sprawling on the floor   

But an old-fashioned dance,

                                             like the tango.

Pull up a chair with a knotted rope.   

Let’s have a tea party with toast

                                                      and hors d’oeuvres.

Let’s take a seat

                           on the parrot’s perch.

Let’s rock to the Motorola with headphones.

Do you want to bathe

                               in the porcelain tub?   

Do you want to sing to the little hare?

Let’s stroll over to the guest room.

Let’s take a bus ride

                                 to the San Juanica bridge.

Forget the ovens and smokestacks.   

Forge the rack and screw,

                                          the tiger’s cage.

We’re celebrating a birthday party

                                                         in your honor.   

We’re lighting candles on your favorite cake.

We’re taking you to a parade

                                                on a sandy beach.   

You’re going down in a submarine.