New England Verses

               I.

  The Whole World Including the Speaker

Why nag at the ideas of Hercules, Don Don?
Widen your sense. All things in the sun are sun.

               II.

  The Whole World Excluding the Speaker

I found between moon-rising and moon-setting
The world was round. But not from my begetting.


               III.

          Soupe aux Perles

Health-O, when ginger and fromage bewitch
The vile antithesis of poor and rich.


               IV.

          Soupe Sans Perles

I crossed in '38 in the Western Head.
It depends which way you crossed, the tea-belle said.

               V.

         Boston With a Note-book

Lean encyclopaeedists, inscribe an Iliad.
There's a weltanschauung of the penny pad
.

               VI.
         Boston Without a Note-book

Let us erect in the Basin a lofty fountain.
Suckled on ponds, the spirit craves a watery mountain
.

               VII.

           Artist In Tropic

Of Phoebus Apothicaire the first beatitude:
Blessed, who is his nation's multitude.


               VIII.

           Artist In Arctic

And of Phoebus the Tailor the second saying goes:
Blessed, whose beard is cloak against the snows.

               IX.

        Statue Against a Clear Sky

Ashen man on ashen cliff above the salt halloo,
O ashen admiral of the hale, hard blue. . . .


               X.
       Statue against a Cloudy Sky

Scaffolds and derricks rise from the reeds to the clouds
Meditating the will of men in formless crowds.


               XI.

           Land of Locust

Patron and patriarch of couplets, walk
In fragrant leaves heat-heavy yet nimble in talk.

               XII.

         Land of Pine ad Marble

Civilization must be destroyed. The hairy saints
Of the North have earned this crumb by their complaints.


               XIII.

           The Male Nude

Dark cynic, strip and bathe and bask at will.
Without cap or strap, you are the cynic still.

               XIV.

           The Female Nude

Ballatta dozed in the cool on a straw divan
At home, a bit like the slenderest courtesan
.

               XV.

            Scene Fletrie

The people dress in autumn and the belfry breath
Hunted autumnal farewells of academic death.

               XVI.

            Scene Fleurie

A perfect fruit in perfect atmosphere.
Nature as Pinakothek. Whist! Chanticleer. . . . .