Moving Sale

By ANDERS CARLSON-WEE

Duluth, we said when a browser asked.
Omaha, we said to another.

Omaha? they said. What’s in Omaha?
It was a good question, but in truth

we weren’t moving, just using
the drama to draw shoppers.

How much is this lamp? said a lady
in yoga pants. Everything’s labeled,

North told her. Another lie:
we left labels off the expensive shit,

buying us time to spot the weakness
in each person. Sold, I said

when she opened way too high.
Brainerd, Mankato, Des Moines:

whatever sounded likely in my mind.
Between customers North cracked

jokes, had me going, but my secret
was that if I’d been alone I would have died

of shame. I recounted the money.
Get it? he said. Get it? trying to break

my concentration. And the sale
went on like that: Where to?

What’s in St. Louis? What’s this cost?
Why would you want to live there?

Honolulu, I said, testing
somewhere better, farther away.

A year later when I actually moved
it was less than a mile.

 

Anders Carlson-Wee is the author of Disease of Kings, forthcoming from W.W. Norton in October 2023, and The Low Passions, a New York Public Library Book Group Selection. He is represented by Massie & McQuilkin Literary Agents. Visit AndersCarlsonWee.com

[Purchase Issue 25 here.]

From the beginning, The Common has brought you transportive writing and exciting new voices. We are committed to supporting writers and maintaining free, unrestricted access to our website, but we can’t do it without you. Become an integral part of our global community of readers and writers by donating today. No amount is too small. Thank you!

Moving Sale

Related Posts

Dispatch: Two Poems

SHANLEY POOLE
I’m asking for a new geography, / something beyond the spiritual. // Tell me again, about that first / drive up Appalachian slopes // how you knew on sight these hills / could be home. I want // this effervescent temporary, here / with the bob-tailed cat // and a hundred hornet nests.

cover of paradiso

May 2025 Poetry Feature: Dante Alighieri, translated by Mary Jo Bang

DANTE ALIGHIERI
In order that the Bride of Him who cried out loudly / When He married her with His sacred blood / Might gladly go to her beloved / Feeling sure in herself and with more faith / In Him—He ordained two princes / To serve her, one on either side, as guides.

A photograph of leaves and berries

Ode to Mitski 

WILLIAM FARGASON
while driving today     to pick up groceries / I drive over     the bridge where it would be  / so easy to drive     right off     the water  / a blanket to lay over     my head     its fevers  / I do want to live     most days     but today / I don’t     I could     let go of the wheel