Carl Phillips

Carl Philips was born on July 23, 1959, into a military family in Everett, Washington. His father’s job in the Air Force kept the family moving within the U.S. during his childhood. Philips describes himself as a “nerdy”

Brothers in Arms

by Carl Phillips (b. 1959)

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15

The sea was one thing, once; the field another. Either way,
something got crossed, or didn’t. Who’s to say, about
happiness? Whatever country, I mean, where inconceivable
was a word like any other lies far behind me now. I’ve
learned to spare what’s failing, if it can keep what’s living
alive still, maybe just
                                  awhile longer. Ghost bamboo that
the birds nest in, for example, not noticing the leaves, color
of surrender, color of poverty as I used to imagine it when

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