— — Separation
An erasure poem* carved from my parents' Agreement of Separation (found in my mother's file cabinet)
Two Houses is a newsletter of stories about art, feminism, grief, and Time excavated from the Soho loft where I grew up. Posts are free and illustrated with the work of my long-divorced parents, the painters Mimi Weisbord and Lennart Anderson.
[after Tracy K. Smith, with respect and awe]
In consequence of irreconcilable differences——
The parties intend to live separate and apart for the rest of their lives ———-With—- their children, whose welfare and best interests are their primary concern——free from interference, authority and control, direct or indirect, by the other—-.
The parties jointly own——- Except for those items of personal property described in Schedule A——-The children——and—-divided equally—-The parties shall exert every reasonable effort ———to foster feelings of affection——-. Neither—shall do anything which may estrange ——or injure the opinion of the children ———or——-hamper the free and natural development of the children’s love and respect for the other—-.
The parties shall and do hereby mutually remise, release, and forever discharge each other—-
——this —shall not be deemed——forgiveness ——.
——Each fully understands the meaning
——This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding—.
*“Erasure poetry, also known as blackout poetry, is a form of found poetry wherein a poet takes an existing text and erases, blacks out, or otherwise obscures a large portion of the text, creating a wholly new work from what remains” (American Academy of Poets).
I love this! Never heard of Erasure poetry before.
Such a profound way to change the narrative and energy.
Sad -