Poetry

My Malaria

Don’t worry about my tongue being a biscuit of dust. Don’t think about my pillow which is filled with quinine. I don’t. My malaria is not contagious, nor is it hereditary. Why do I walk bent over like this? Because when they operated to remove my malaria, and found nothing, they became bitter and sewed…

In the Endless

After Verlaine In the endless anxieties of the plain the uncertain snow shines as sand. Of copper is the sky, without one light. One would believe any moon, seen living and dying. As some storm clouds hover infirm and grey, the oaks of close-lying forests are among the vapours. Of copper is the sky, without…

Monday, Monday

In the country perhaps some rooster or another crows on Monday morning (the 15th? the 22nd?) This particular sound reminds me that I haven’t changed my pants since Monday Between the rising and the setting of the sun I’ve forgotten my old friends. translated by George Kimball

Anthropitis

This dread disease was first recorded by An ancient commentator, who described The symptoms well but possibly relied Too much on hearsay. Be that as it may, It starts with fever followed by a chill, Then six full days of agony near death, Rapidity of pulse, shortness of breath, And diarrhea, though they have a…

Going to Chicago

for John Sinclair Leaving First On my way,                        ”Ave Atque Valium”                                                                        20 mgs.                                    & coffee                  Thanks to the Air Hostess            dark eyes     dark hair                                    red lips                  …

Sand

Night flashed instantly about the house, loudly roared and the sea was unheard. Lying beside me you slept through it your body thin as fusewire. Lying awake on one elbow I saw the beach fused in static and the sea was unheard while a body of air was shot through with light. Morning saw the…