By Claire Bateman

At last the heirloom china rides
cupboardless, exposed and free
upon Suspension™.

Books float alphabuoyantly unshelved
upon Suspension™.

Bartenders slide their brews
frictionless
along Suspension™.

At the Louvre,
tourists circumnavigate
the Mona Lisa
enthroned in sheerness now
upon Suspension ™.

Even the lowly toothbrush
rests its bristles, moist,
upon Suspension™.

And though we still shape
our shirts on hangers
as in days of yore,

now we’re free to set them dangling
everywhere,

just as we arrange our limbs
to sleep upon transparency

anywhere.

Nevertheless,
we can’t agree:

is there less
or more clutter
since we unanimously opted
for Suspension™?

Claire Bateman is the author of WONDERS OF THE INVISIBLE WORLD forthcoming from 42 Miles Books, and eight other poetry books. She has been awarded Fellowships from the NEA, the Tennessee Arts Commission, and has received the New Millennium Writing Award (twice) and two Pushcart Prizes. She has taught at the Greenville Fine Arts Center, Clemson University and various conferences, including Bread Loaf and the Bloch Island Poetry Festival. She is also a visual artist.