Suet Suet
It turns out I was killing the birds. I gave them what they wanted, what they craved: suet packed with seeds, hung swinging on the sycamore with chains. Suet brought the downy, the bellied, brought small clinging birds from the sadness of the woods. It fattened them. It readied them for winter. But with spring came the melting world: too rich, too much weakened their bones. And snapped them. You were light as a whisper when you lay on me. I ran my fingers over your chest as though I were dressing you in air—the only clothes I would ever want on you. Still, the mockingbird wants it the most, diving at the other birds, driving them away, his gray black white reel of wings—so fierce, I can’t even take it back. I never knew he would be angry, this bird I’ve heard so much about, sung about in songs, the one I was supposed to buy my baby, the one who learned my baby’s cries. There’s sun on the porch and I want you so bad I think I might die. I have hurt you harder than anyone has ever. I don’t know what is right. I don’t know whose turn it is to beg, to cry, to be wronged, to be wanted. All I know is when you lay down on me, I felt no weight. And when you touched my breasts, they began to weep. And when I said I was sorry, sorry, I am so so sorry, you lowered your head to my chest and drank.
May 15, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Alison Stine
Deliriums and Descents Deliriums and Descents
In Metaphysical Dog, a poet continues his unending, obsessive arguments with himself.
May 15, 2013 / Books & the Arts / Robert Boyers
Mad About the IRS Mess? Blame Congress Mad About the IRS Mess? Blame Congress
It’s absurd to expect agency auditors to sort out confusing, outdated campaign finance laws and regulations.
May 15, 2013 / The Editors
Make a Difference for Domestic Workers Make a Difference for Domestic Workers
Both the National Domestic Workers Alliance and the Domestic Workers United are campaigning for legislation protecting domestic workers in each state nationwide...
May 15, 2013 / NationAction
Chris Christie, a GOP Moderate? Fuhgeddaboudit! Chris Christie, a GOP Moderate? Fuhgeddaboudit!
The governor needs to peddle a moderate image to win re-election in New Jersey, but on everything from reproductive rights to the environment to austerity, he’s very conserva...
May 15, 2013 / John Nichols
Noted Noted
Aura Bogado on deportations before immigration reform, Greg Mitchell on the Department of Justice and the AP, the editors on advertising legend George Lois
May 15, 2013 / Various Contributors
A Week in the White House A Week in the White House
Benghazi and the IRS Already had the White House vexed. Plus Justice snooped on AP’s phones. A plague of locusts may be next.
May 15, 2013 / Column / Calvin Trillin
How to Fix Journalism’s Class and Color Crisis How to Fix Journalism’s Class and Color Crisis
The future of media must include all of us.
May 15, 2013 / Farai Chideya
Abolition in Maryland Abolition in Maryland
“I killed the thing that almost killed me,” said Kirk Bloodsworth, who faced execution in Maryland, the latest state to outlaw capital punishment.
May 15, 2013 / David A. Love
Why I’m Voting for Her Why I’m Voting for Her
In 2016, I’m casting my vote for a woman. Not because she’s guaranteed to be the most feminist candidate, but because I’m fed up.
May 15, 2013 / Column / Jessica Valenti