Cartride in December

CARTRIDGE IN DECEMBER

Around this time of year the cars
Drive by with trees tied to the roof
With string, and extra air is pressed under the tires
Those little rubber cushions--proof,
Like vibrapods, that masts will keep their tacks.
So why is wood so special down the groove
Clearaudio Virtuoso, Grado's low
And high shots: can you really hear a warmth
That's not there in the metal? I just ask. Or is it
In your head--in fact I rather favor Stax.
Wood is balanced, wood is warm. That's how the tree
gets home this time of year, dead like a deer
that should be sleeping or alive, not subject to the axe.