Civilization (Carl Phillips)

I love the poetry of Carl Phillips. I had to pick a poet to write about in a college class and somehow picked him and have been so glad for that chance introduction. His poem, Civilization, is kind of a case-in-point for why he's great.

He starts with a religious scene and melds his own relationship troubles into it but also with feelings of unworthiness that he has for himself. I think he's great at writing about how objects can stand for both themselves and something else - and of course, as it's described he ends up also talking (mostly, talking) about himself. And I think that's his big point - that any identity is a trinity. It's so cool.
 
Favorite line: "It / only looked, it -- / It must only look / like leaving. There's an art / to everything. Even / turning away."

It only looked, it—    It must only look like leaving. There's an art    to everything. Even    turning away. - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22240#sthash.FsSQGxxI.dpuf

It only looked, it—    It must only look like leaving. There's an art    to everything. Even    turning away. - See more at: http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/22240#sthash.FsSQGxxI.dpuf