Especially the Vesicles of Man Mouth
Terrible incidents happen
daily. That’s how we get around obstacles.
—John Ashbery
Even here there is an awareness of the lyric. I suspect
with certainty. Every other minute another
important person cruising down the street.
I want to see the equation that calculates
appropriate escort and payroll.
Can I borrow your toenail clippers?
So that’s what flattery will get you. Like “Ginsberg’s failure
to share Whitman’s affirmation of American life,” I
responded too much. First with something like
“stop teasing me.” Then with a tirade about how
serious I am and how serious a question that is.
And then we returned to our native land only to find
a house full of Republicans. What gestures risen from
an insolent darkness.
But be of good cheer.
