An Art Deco Intertitle Says She’s Sad by Kristin Garth

An Art Deco Intertitle Says She’s Sad

The oversized eyes & emotions don’t translate
in the era of high definition,
surround sound which only exaggerates
the decibels of this desperation,
the thud of platform Mary Janes, shin bones
collapsing alone on reproduction
Victorian fainting couches to moan
in iPhone Voice Isolation mode one
too many Facetimes & modernity
makes one incomprehensible in DM’s.
This suffering belongs in a silent movie
with photoplay accompaniment — then
the muted howls won’t bother you as bad;
an Art Deco intertitle says “She’s sad.”

Kristin Garth is a Pushcart, Rhysling nominated sonneteer and a Best of the Net 2020 finalist, the author of a short story collection You Don’t Want This (Pink Plastic Press), The Stakes (Really Serious Literature) and many more books.