Poem by Kate Kuhlmann: ‘Castle Rose’

All of my friends thought it was their apartment.
It used to be a brothel, I don’t think so.
It’s been there before, but it’s a proper legend.
For an eerie old place with original mahogany wood
Hexagonal tiles and tiles Sex is a place for ghosts. Sex is the city.
Special market with empty gilded glass fish counters
Wine bars closed with inequality spreading.
That required a gilded wine bar.

It’s the Fourth of July. This city is empty
The red light changes. Move
The powerbox gear resonates with the metal rattle of the cart.
On the concrete, friends have changed apartments.
Furniture Alliance rose Castle,
Cambrian, Premier, Gentry
The shirt is pulled out in tangerine pleather.
Mid-Century Tweed black leather chesterfield

On the way to the party I stopped outside Rose Castle.
It has a light pink, mint color and has soft, cake-like edges.
The neon sign is off. And now there was a tall black door.
With key card sensor, rose color
still there I’m glad to see the roses.
still there Someone added petunias.
To Addili’s old balcony

I’ve heard rumors that it’s Hollywood vintage.
It shut down and I was relieved.
Instead, I found how messy, peeled, and dilapidated it was.
I remember closing on the fourth day but no.
Forever. Looking through the window at the fur,
Chipped sedan, velvet painting
I heard my name And that’s Chris.
Go to a mobile party
Unmanageable amount of beer

When I loved him, I never dreamed.
For a better time let him run towards me. It’s hot today.
But I’m the same. I mean sweat, of course sweat, but today.
I look so good Little black dress. Newly dyed roots sweat,
Yes, but in a sexual oil way. And I wear perfume. I smell it.
Like sweat and roses I’m staring into the building.
Complete and dilapidated at the same time
I am now whole and broken as well, right now.
reality reality

I said, can I hold that beer? He said no, I said.
It’s crazy that you’re carrying so much beer. He said no.
I said yes and he handed me two six-packs. he said thank you
For coming, I say thank you for having me. we make our way
On his new girlfriend’s rooftop where the party was being held.
is being held I leave early Carl is going to meet me.
At the edge of Willamette and
We’ll walk across it when the fireworks start.

It’s hard to have memories these days. This is poetry.
about finished things This is a poem about Addili.
and her sofa This is about Addily’s photography.
In the grocery store in a satellite leopard skin jacket.
Next to the tangerine pyramid, this is poetry.
About Karl waiting on the east bank of the river.
This is a poem about an ex. This is a poem.
about the future