A Knock at the Door

a new poem from Karan Kapoor

Karan Kapoor returns to the magazine today with his newest poem, “a knock at the door.” His first go with us, a poem in Issue Eight, remains a favorite around here. You can find that and more in the newly renovated Little Engines Shop. After Karan’s poem, a brief recap of the morning shows this past weekend in Illinois, which were sick.

a knock at the door

by Karan Kapoor

maybe it’s the weeping
willow you meditate below
or the Book of Mercy you lost
or a mother who never
abandoned you
go open
perhaps it’s the woman
who scarred your thighs
or a wolf that needs a rose
go open the damn door
what if it’s Leonard Cohen!
don’t you want to ask him how?
it could be the burning giraffe
hurry you could water it
may be a mirror — see
for yourself or smoke
go gamble
it could be God
begging for an apology
even if there’s nobody
go
at least there will be nothing

Karan Kapoor’s poems have appeared in Best New Poets, AGNI, Shenandoah, North American Review, and elsewhere. He is the Editor-in-Chief of Strange Pilgrims and ONLY POEMS, and serves on the editorial board of Alice James Books.

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I’m home after the weekend in Illinois, but haven’t unloaded the car. Depleted, but charged up after the morning shows in Chicago and Urbana. I promise what’s actually happening at the events is that we are reading literature, but we’re also providing entertainment. I’m harassing Mike and Kyle, saying the northeast needs donuts and stories.

- Adam