John Ashbery
THE PICTURE OF LITTLE J. A.
IN A PROSPECT OF FLOWERS
He was spoilt from childhood by
the future, which he mastered rather
early and apparently without great
difficulty.
-BORIS PASTERNAK
Darkness falls like a wet sponge
And Dick gives Genevieve a swift punch
In the pajamas. "Aroint thee, witch."
Her tongue from previous ecstasy
Releases thoughts like little hats.
"He clap'd me first during the eclipse.
Afterwards I noted his manner
Much altered. But he sending
At that time certain handsome jewels
I durst not seem to take offence."
In a far recess of summer
Monks are playing soccer.
II
So far
is
goodnes.<; a mere memory
Or naming of recent scenes of badness
That even these lives, children,
You may pass through to be blessed,
So fair does each invent
his
virtue.
And coming from a white world, music
Will sparkle at the lips of many who are
Beloved. Then these, as dirty handmaidens
To some transparent witch, will dream
Of a white hero's subtle wooing,
And time shall force a gift on each.
