REVISIONS MASTERCLASS: SARAH VENART, FOX'S SLEEP

This is the second in a Poetry Month feature series with Sarah Venart, who walks us through the revisions history of some of the poems from her forthcoming book, I Am the Big Heart (Brick 2020). Comments and questions are welcome. What do you see changing as the poem develops?
 
Sarah Venart
FOX'S SLEEP

The first pill gives you sleep like warm butter.

Then it leaves the butter dish out.

Then it moves the butter dish to 

not where you’ve left it.

REVISION HISTORY

creation: early 2016
Fox Sleep

the dictionary says, is false sleep, 

but it’s also wanting 

to sleep, closing the world out. 

where 

you’ve left it: train platforms, bus seats, turning

shoulder from the window.

Spring 2019 revision: sent to publisher
Fox’s Sleep

The first pill gives you sleep like warm butter.

Then it leaves the butter dish out.

Then it moves the butter dish to 

not where you’ve left it. 

November 2019 revision: stanza breaks
Fox’s Sleep

The first pill gives you sleep like warm butter.

Then it leaves the butter dish out.

Then it moves the butter dish to 

not where you’ve left it.