The Year John Cage Was Born
Patrick R. Lawler · The Iowa Review · 1983
The year John Cage was born, his father Set a trap. For thirteen days, in a submarine Of his own design, John Cage's father Stayed submerged?for thirteen days, With thirteen men, on Friday. And when John Cage's father came up, he said, Well, John, top that. So a precedent was Set that fathers and sons were expected To follow. The challenge would be passed on. Records in '48 were not so easily established. My father's submarine was borrowed And in need of paint. I'm not making Excuses. The sunlight danced over the dent On the bow. They came to the docks to see him Off: a man carrying a sketch of the mayor, A woman in a floppy hat. The picture Of my mother shows her head slightly bent As if she were listening to the bumble Of a motor car speeding out of sight. The white Ribbon in her hair sags like a cripple's Shoelace. The conversation centers on how cold It will be, on how hot. The one thing For certain is that there will be discomfort.