Still

The quiet in the house
after lunch was
of such density
that it nearly
stopped the clocks.

— Jonathan Franzen, "The Corrections"

Evasion

Do you miss him?

My divorce is the great unhappiness of my life.

That's an answer, Brian said.
But not to my question.

— Jonathan Franzen, "The Corrections"

Autumn

Cavalries of leaf
wheeled across
the bitten lawns.

— Jonathan Franzen, "The Corrections"

Gaze

Her open eye
was like
nearly black
balsamic vinegar
bleeding
on white china.

— Jonathan Franzen, "The Corrections"