Poetry by J.B. Rouse

Of Territories & Offenses: 1869

IN CASTORS      AND      CHINCHILLAS
a few Christian men have accomplished wonders
orderly and law-biding
THE SCIENCE  OF  LIFE          mere canvas

But Among these savages
squalid        poverty       knavish       remnants
fearful shrieks of the hopeless heathen

From the Episcopal chapel
OXY-HYDROGEN LIGHT
cheerful and prosperous
horses and wagons, coats and trousers
SILK FACINGS  AND         VELVET COLLARS

Of Territories & Offenses: 1975

SLASHER MURDER      EAR TO EAR

AMERICA’S PRIZE PACKAGE
100,000 pounds of             federal meat
Armed with rifles and shotguns

3:00 THE ASCENT          OF MAN
tear gas canisters about 8:45
a curfew     declared

10:30 LOVE                       OF LIFE
hammered out all-night
to prevent it from spoiling

Of Territories & Offenses: 1988

PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SINCERE
      THANKS FOR GIVING
so-called peace pipes
         (Your) EVAPORATIVE FRATERNAL BENEFITS

(They say) The great deity could commune through smoke

warclub bric-a-brac
         EASY-TO-MAINTAIN AND EASY-TO-LOVE

I’m seeing the sacred at rummage sales

Dr. Jeremy Rouse is an educator, musician, and writer currently living in Washington state. His creative output includes albums, zines, short fiction, and poetry, often featuring found poems. Much of Rouse's work is informed by his Yankton Sioux identity. Often utilizing abstract language and imagery, he hopes to invite audiences into a collaborative journey of interpretation and meaning-making.