Novella 14
Out of nowhere, yeah, there is a cool vale
In that book somewhere, fanning a forehead
With two opposing armies approaching
The picnic comes to an abrupt climax
With only eighty syllables to spare
They dash for the armies’ outermost flanks
Through a sort of creek, with an ancient name
Meaning, “take in the cool vale’s offerings
And don’t forget to pick up your garbage”
And with just thirty syllables to go
The flanks are rounded, as shells start landing
In the book somewhere, where they ought to stay
Along with the wine, transverse flute, and swans
Causing the heart to skip a beat or two.
Rodrigo Toscano is a poet based in New Orleans. He is the author of twelve books of poetry. His latest books are WHITMAN. CANNONBALL. PUEBLA (Omnidawn, 2025, National Poetry Series finalist, NYPL best books of 2025). The Cut Point (Counterpath, 2023), The Charm & The Dread (Fence, 2022). Forthcoming is Salvage Nation: 100 sonnets (Winter Editions, fall 2026). His Collapsible Poetics Theater was a 2008 National Poetry Series winner. His poetry has appeared in over 25 anthologies, including, Best American Poetry and Best American Experimental Poetry. Toscano received a New York State Fellowship in Poetry. He won the Edwin Markham 2019 prize for poetry. He works for the Labor Institute in conjunction with the United Steelworkers on educational projects that involve environmental and labor justice culture transformation. rodrigotoscano.com